Reno, Nevada – The Hawk Fire, which ignited Saturday in the foothills north of the city, has rapidly expanded to cover more than 23 square miles (about 60 square kilometers). By Sunday the blaze was still uncontained, prompting officials to order the evacuation of roughly 90,000 residents from neighborhoods bordering the fire’s perimeter.
Evacuations and community impact
County officials warned that shifting winds could push the flames into densely packed, newly developed subdivisions on the edge of Nevada’s second‑largest city. Schools across Washoe County were closed Monday to keep roadways clear for emergency crews and to protect students from the smoke and traffic disruptions.
Residents were given little notice as the fire grew explosively. Ruby Delatorre, who returned from a concert only to find her home in the evacuation zone, described the scene as “like a movie.” She later walked back to retrieve a few essential items, saying she “literally wants to cry and go back for all my stuff.”
Another evacuee, Teresa Lenshyn, said the forced departure was chaotic and stressful, noting the uncertainty of whether shifting winds would make conditions worse.
Firefighting efforts
Firefighters have been working to extinguish hotspots while preventing the blaze from crossing a major highway that runs through the area. The fire’s rapid spread has already destroyed several homes and vehicles, leaving only a scorched basketball hoop standing in some yards.
At least six people – three first responders and three civilians – have been injured while battling the fire. Authorities have identified the blaze as human‑caused, though they have not disclosed whether it was set intentionally or resulted from an accident.
Broader context
The Hawk Fire marks the third large wildfire in the rugged terrain north of Reno within the past two weeks, all attributed to human activity. The region’s extremely dry conditions this summer have fueled a surge of wildfires across the American West. Earlier in August, fires in eastern Washington forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area.
Nationwide, the National Interagency Fire Center reports more than 50,000 wildfires this season – the highest number recorded for the same period in the past decade.
What’s next?
Officials continue to monitor wind patterns and fire behavior, urging residents to stay alert to evacuation orders and to avoid travel on affected roadways. The focus remains on protecting lives and property while working toward full containment of the Hawk Fire.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
