Nevada Wildfire Forces Tens of Thousands to Evacuate; State of Emergency Declared

Reno, Nevada – A rapidly spreading wildfire, known as the Hawk Fire, has engulfed over 13,000 acres in Nevada, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate and prompting Governor Joe Lombardo to declare a state of emergency for Washoe County.

As of Sunday, approximately 42,000 residents were under evacuation orders, with an additional 45,000 on standby to leave their homes. The fire, which ignited near the Hawk Meadow Trail on Saturday morning, is encroaching on suburban areas, with smoke blanketing nearby neighborhoods. The fire's reach extends from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the University of Nevada, Reno.

“

This is a developing situation and it is changing rapidly. I urge all citizens in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the guidance of local officials.

Officials confirmed the fire was human-caused, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation. Three civilians and three first responders have been injured. Firefighters battled the blaze under "red flag conditions", a combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds that significantly increase wildfire risk. These dangerous conditions are expected to persist.

Governor Lombardo urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and follow official instructions. He has authorized the deployment of two National Guard helicopters and 60 National Guard members to assist local authorities in firefighting and support operations. Reno-Tahoe International Airport remains operational and outside the evacuation zones.

“

We are expecting the same extreme weather conditions this afternoon.