A rapidly spreading wildfire in northwest Reno, Nevada, engulfed homes on Sunday, hindering firefighting efforts as shifting winds complicated containment. Authorities urged approximately 90,000 individuals to evacuate, with at least six people sustaining injuries, including three first responders and three civilians. The fire, dubbed the Hawk Fire, originated on Saturday and swiftly expanded to over 60 square kilometers in the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest.
With the blaze encroaching on populated areas near the California border, around 42,000 residents were mandated to leave immediately, while an additional 45,000 individuals were placed on evacuation alert. The situation escalated as the fire approached the University of Nevada, prompting officials to emphasize the critical need for evacuations due to the unpredictable nature of the fire exacerbated by changing wind patterns.
One resident, Cari Kieffer, recounted the heartbreaking loss of her home, captured in a social media video showing the devastation. As the fire rapidly approached her neighborhood, Kieffer and her family scrambled to save their pets and essential belongings, witnessing their home being consumed by flames. Despite the chaotic evacuation, Kieffer managed to salvage only a few possessions, leaving behind treasured items like birth certificates and childhood photos.
Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, mobilizing the Nevada National Guard to assist in aerial firefighting operations, deploy additional personnel, and ensure public safety. Power outages affected nearly 10,000 customers, and sections of U.S. Route 395 were shut down due to the fire. Washoe County authorities established evacuation centers, but faced challenges accommodating pets, directing residents to alternative facilities for their animals.
The fire’s rapid escalation underscored the volatile conditions in the region, with multiple wildfires erupting across Nevada amid prolonged dry weather and minimal snowfall in the preceding winter. The University of Nevada narrowly evaded evacuation as the fire skirted its perimeter, while hospitals enacted patient evacuations, and law enforcement monitored the need to evacuate the county jail. The unpredictable fire behavior, exacerbated by erratic winds, posed significant challenges for responders and residents alike, underscoring the urgency of the evacuation orders.