Wildfire near Reno, Nevada, forces evacuations and emergency response
Consensus Summary
A fast-moving wildfire, named the Hawk fire, began on Saturday northwest of Reno, Nevada, and rapidly expanded to over 13,000 acres by Sunday morning. Authorities ordered evacuations for about 90,000 residents, with nearly 42,000 under immediate evacuation orders and an additional 45,000 in a warning zone. The fire was 0% contained, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, and caused at least six injuries, including three first responders. Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, mobilizing 400 personnel, including helicopter crews and 60 National Guard troops. Schools, roads, and power were disrupted, with nearly 10,000 homes and businesses losing power and at least 20 road closures in effect. The University of Nevada’s Reno campus, with 24,000 students, remained outside the evacuation zone, though classes began on 24 August. The fire follows recent wildfires in the region, with ABC noting it is the third largest in the area in the past two weeks and part of a nationwide surge of over 50,000 wildfires this year.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- About 90,000 residents of Reno, Nevada, were under evacuation orders
- The Hawk fire began on Saturday to the north-west of Reno
- The fire was 0% contained as of Monday morning
- At least six people have been injured, including three first responders
- All but one school in Washoe County will remain closed on Monday
- Nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in Washoe County were without power
- Portions of US Route 395 were closed due to the fire
- Highs in the area were expected between 89 and 94 degrees with southwest 10-15 mph winds in the afternoon
- The Hawk fire exploded to more than 13,000 acres (5,200 hectares) early on Sunday
- Nearly 42,000 residents were ordered to evacuate, with an additional 45,000 in the evacuation warning zone
- Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County
- Approximately 400 personnel were working on the incident
- At least 20 road closures were in effect as of Sunday afternoon
- The University of Nevada’s Reno campus remained just outside the evacuation zone on Sunday morning
- The university had an enrollment of about 24,000 students in fall 2025
- The first day of classes at the university is 24 August
- Reno has a population of more than 280,000 residents
- The Hawk fire is the third largest wildfire in the rugged terrain north of Reno in the past two weeks
- The fire began on Saturday
- The fire was human-caused (investigation ongoing)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Hawk fire comes just weeks after three wildfires north of Reno forced more than 13,000 residents to evacuate earlier this month
- Two helicopter crews were deployed to support aerial firefighting operations, while 60 troops were assigned
- Students who are new to the university were allowed to move in as early as 13 August
- The Reno-Stead airport was closed to general aviation traffic but remained open to firefighting aircraft
- Authorities were closely watching a county detention facility near the evacuation warning area
- The Hawk Fire burned over 60 square kilometers (13,000 acres) by Sunday
- Fires in eastern Washington state forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area in early August
- Nationwide, there have been more than 50,000 wildfires, the most over the past 10 years covering the same time period
- The fire was described as 'human-caused' but no details on intentionality were provided
- The fire was the third largest in the area in the past two weeks, all caused by human activity
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states the Hawk fire was at 'more than 13,000 acres' early Sunday, while ABC says it burned 'over 60 square kilometers' (13,000 acres) by Sunday but does not specify the exact acreage at the start of Sunday
- The Guardian mentions 'nearly 10,000 homes and businesses without power on Sunday,' while ABC does not specify a number for power outages
Source Articles
About 90,000 urged to evacuate as fast-moving wildfire threatens Reno, Nevada
‘Human-caused’, wind-driven fire in Reno leaves thousands of homes and businesses without power, officials say About 90,000 residents of Reno, Nevada, and the adjacent North Valley are under evacuation orders as a fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire bears down on the city. The Hawk fire began on Saturday to the north-west of the city, and quickly grew, showing “extreme fire behavior”. It stood at a little more than 15,000 acres burned on Monday morning, and was 0% contained. Continue reading...
Fast-moving wildfire in Reno, Nevada, forces thousands to evacuate homes
Hawk fire has covered more than 13,000 acres as blaze approaches University of Nevada campus in Reno A fast-moving Nevada wildfire exploded to more than 13,000 acres (5,200 hectares) early on Sunday, pushing from the Sierra foothills toward the center of Reno and forcing nearly 42,000 residents to evacuate as flames threatened neighborhoods and reached the edge of the University of Nevada campus. The Hawk fire’s “GO NOW” evacuation zone had expanded to the edge of the university campus as strong
Wildfire burning near Nevada city forces evacuation of 90,000 residents
A huge blaze is burning perilously close to neighbourhoods in the city of Reno, with authorities warning that shifting winds could put homes at risk.
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