Human-Caused Hawk Fire Near Reno Forces Mass Evacuations as Strong Winds Fuel Blaze

A rapidly spreading wildfire in north-west Reno, Nevada, has triggered mass evacuations, destroyed several structures and injured at least six people as firefighters battle unpredictable conditions.

Officials said the Hawk Fire was caused by human activity, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The blaze, which started on Saturday near Peavine Peak, spread quickly through rugged foothills in the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest.

Over 90,000 People Affected by Evacuation Orders

Authorities ordered around 42,000 residents to evacuate, while another 45,000 people were placed under evacuation warnings.

The evacuation zone expanded towards the University of Nevada, Reno, as officials warned residents that changing winds, dry vegetation and low humidity could cause the fire to spread rapidly.

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam urged residents to leave immediately if they were in affected areas, warning that the fire had moved so quickly that it had even jumped over firefighting equipment in some locations.

Homes Destroyed and Six People Injured

Several homes and other structures have been destroyed by the wildfire. At least six people were injured, including three civilians and three first responders.

The fire spread across approximately 53 square kilometres, with hundreds of firefighters deployed to contain it.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and activated the Nevada National Guard. Helicopter crews were deployed to support aerial firefighting operations, while troops were sent to assist law enforcement in evacuated neighbourhoods.

Around 800 fire personnel were involved in the emergency response.

Power Outages and Road Closures Hit Reno

The wildfire also disrupted essential services across the region.

Nearly 10,000 customers remained without electricity on Sunday, although the number had fallen significantly from around 60,000 outages reported earlier.

Parts of US Route 395 were closed because of the fire, while emergency shelters were opened for displaced residents.

The Reno-Sparks Convention Centre was opened as an evacuation centre, while separate facilities were arranged for people evacuating with pets and livestock.

Strong Winds Could Worsen the Situation

Fire officials warned that strong winds, low humidity and extremely dry vegetation could make the Hawk Fire increasingly difficult to control.

The University of Nevada, Reno, remained outside the evacuation zone, but authorities said they were monitoring the situation closely and had evacuation plans ready.

The Hawk Fire comes shortly after other major wildfires north of Reno forced thousands of residents to evacuate earlier this month.

As firefighters continue containment operations, officials have warned residents to remain prepared for further evacuation orders as weather conditions remain unpredictable.