A rapidly spreading wildfire in northwest Reno, Nevada, hindered firefighting efforts by jumping over fire trucks and destroying homes on Sunday. Shifting winds posed challenges for firefighters, leading authorities to evacuate around 90,000 individuals. Six people, including three first responders and three civilians, sustained injuries. The fire, known as the Hawk Fire, started on Saturday and quickly 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 ordered to evacuate from the expanding “GO NOW” zone, which extended towards the University of Nevada, with an additional 45,000 people in the adjacent evacuation warning area. Residents were urged to evacuate promptly and be prepared for an extended absence due to anticipated unpredictable fire behavior caused by shifting winds.
One resident, Cari Kieffer, described witnessing her house being engulfed in flames through a social media video, leaving them with nothing but charred remnants. Despite initially believing that firefighters had contained the fire away from their neighborhood, Kieffer and her family hastily evacuated as the fire rapidly approached, leaving them with limited time to salvage personal belongings.
Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard to aid in firefighting efforts. Additionally, 800 fire personnel were deployed to combat the blaze. Power outages affected nearly 10,000 customers in Washoe County, and sections of U.S. Route 395 were closed due to the fire. Evacuation centers were set up at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, with nearby casinos offering accommodations at discounted rates for evacuees.
The fire, which escalated from a minor concern on Saturday to a destructive force by Sunday, was fueled by changing winds and dry conditions. The University of Nevada narrowly escaped the evacuation zone, while hospitals and the county jail remained on high alert for potential evacuations. The rapid spread of the fire on Saturday night created confusion and obstacles for responders due to its unpredictable behavior caused by shifting winds.