Fast-moving Nevada wildfire forces thousands to evacuate homes

A rapidly spreading wildfire in Reno, Nevada, has prompted "GO NOW" evacuation orders for nearly 14,000 homes as the blaze surged to over 10,500 acres by Sunday morning. Fueled by strong, gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, the Hawk fire is pushing from the Sierra foothills toward the city center, threatening neighborhoods and reaching the perimeter of the University of Nevada campus.

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve urged residents to evacuate immediately, emphasizing that lives are more important than structures. "If you have been told to evacuate, please don’t wait!" she stated on social media Saturday night. "Structures have already been burned in this fire and your life is more important than a building."

Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and activated the Nevada National Guard. Two helicopter crews are supporting aerial firefighting efforts, while 60 troops are assisting police in securing evacuated areas. Approximately 400 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies are engaged in combating the fire, utilizing both ground crews and air resources.

The fire has led to significant disruptions, with nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in Washoe County experiencing power outages. Portions of the major north-south highway, U.S. Route 395, are closed. The University of Nevada's Reno campus, with an enrollment of about 24,000 students, remains just outside the current evacuation zone, though an emergency response plan is in place. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is unaffected, while the smaller Reno-Stead Airport is closed to general aviation due to firefighting aircraft operations.

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If you have been told to evacuate, please don’t wait! Structures have already been burned in this fire and your life is more important than a building. Evacuating before the fire arrives also allows our firefighters to focus their efforts on battling the blaze.