Residents evacuate as Hawk Fire spreads rapidly near Reno
Residents of the Reno-Sparks area evacuated on Saturday, August 22, as a new blaze dubbed the Hawk fire rapidly grew in Nevada.
Crews struggled to gain a foothold against a large wildfire near Reno, Nevada, that has forced thousands of people from their homes, destroyed structures and caused multiple injuries.
The so-called Hawk Fire ignited on Aug. 22 and quickly consumed more than 15,000 acres of land, or 23 square miles, near Reno, as strong winds and dry brush fueled the flames, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The blaze was 0% contained as of Sunday, Aug. 23.
Officials ordered about 42,000 people to evacuate their homes, while another 40,000 were placed under evacuation warnings and urged to leave the area. Road closures were in effect across much of the area northwest of downtown Reno.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared an emergency for Washoe County, which includes Reno and the northeast portion of Lake Tahoe. Local authorities opened temporary shelters and the public school district for Washoe County canceled classes.
The fire has consumed an undetermined number of buildings, said Shane Akerson, a battalion chief with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District during an Aug. 23 briefing. The fire, which started in the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, was human-caused and the source of the ignition remains under active investigation, Akerson said.
At least six people had been injured, including three civilians and three first responders.
Dry conditions, wind could further fuel Hawk Fire
More than 800 firefighters responded to the fire scene, along with hundreds of law enforcement personnel, according to Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam. He added that members of the National Guard were being deployed to the area.
The fire broke out as much of the western part of the U.S. experienced drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Washoe County was suffering abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions as of Aug. 18, the monitor said.
According to the last update from fire officials, high winds and dry brush were expected to contribute to “increased fire activity.”
“Over the next 12 hours, the fire is expected to continue to make moderate to high intensity runs in pockets of dense fuels,” the fire center said on Aug. 23.
The Hawk Fire was one of 200 new wildfires reported across the nation on Saturday, Aug. 22, with large wildfires burning in 18 states, according to the the interagency fire center’s daily situation report.
Where is the Hawk Fire? See map
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver