A rapidly spreading wildfire in northwest Reno, Nevada, leaped over fire trucks, hindering firefighting efforts and destroying homes on Sunday. Crews faced challenges from shifting winds as they worked to contain the blaze, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of around 90,000 individuals.
Authorities reported that at least six people, including three first responders and three civilians, sustained injuries. The fire, known as the Hawk Fire, was determined to be of “human-caused” origin, although specific details on the cause were not disclosed.
Originating on Saturday, the Hawk Fire swiftly expanded to over 60 square kilometers in the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest near the California state border. Approximately 42,000 residents were mandated to evacuate from the expanding “GO NOW” zone, which extended to the vicinity of the University of Nevada, with an additional 45,000 individuals in the adjacent evacuation warning area.
Urging residents to leave immediately, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam emphasized the unpredictability of the fire due to anticipated winds. Witnessing her home reduced to ashes in a video online, Cari Kieffer expressed devastation, stating that her family lost all their possessions.
The Nevada National Guard was mobilized by Governor Joe Lombardo to aid in firefighting efforts alongside 800 fire personnel. The Guard deployed two helicopter crews and 60 troops to support aerial operations and assist police in securing evacuated neighborhoods.
Power outages affected nearly 10,000 customers in Washoe County, down from 60,000 the previous day, with sections of U.S. Route 395 closed due to the fire. Evacuation centers were opened by emergency officials, with evacuees accommodated at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, while casinos offered lodging discounts.
The fire’s rapid escalation was attributed to changing winds on Saturday, leading to its destructive impact. The University of Nevada narrowly avoided evacuation on Sunday, while hospitals evacuated patients as a precaution. The sheriff’s office monitored the situation closely, considering potential evacuations, including the county jail.
Describing the chaotic situation, Sheriff Balaam highlighted the fire’s erratic behavior, exacerbated by winds shifting in multiple directions. The wildfire was one of several new blazes in Nevada on Saturday, fueled by prolonged dry conditions and minimal winter snowfall in the region.