The Hawk Fire northwest of Reno, Nevada, was first reported around 11:15 a.m. on August 22 near Hawk Meadow Trail [1, 2, 3, 4]. The wildfire has burned approximately 10,500 acres (53 square kilometers) by the evening of August 23 and remains 0% contained [1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, 4]. Officials confirmed the fire is human-caused and under active investigation [1, 2, 3, 8].
Authorities ordered an immediate evacuation for about 42,000 people, with another 45,000 urged to prepare to leave. The evacuation zone covers around 13,700 homes, extending to the edges of neighborhoods and the University of Nevada, Reno campus [1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 7, 4, 9]. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam described the fire spread on the night of August 23 as "extremely chaotic" due to shifting winds pushing flames in multiple directions, urging residents who can still leave to do so immediately [7, 10, 11, 9]. Balaam said in Chinese, “情况极为混乱。由于风向不断变化，火舌朝不同方向推进。现在能走的请马上离开。”
Six people have been reported injured in the fire, including three civilians and three first responders [1, 2, 3, 7, 4]. The fire has destroyed multiple residential buildings northwest of Reno [7, 10, 11, 9]. Power outages have affected about 10,000 homes and businesses in Washoe County, with at least 20 road closures including parts of US Route 395 [5, 6].
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County on the evening of August 22 and mobilized the National Guard to assist with firefighting and law enforcement [1, 5, 2, 6, 4, 9]. Lombardo said, "This is an active and rapidly evolving situation and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the direction of local officials." [1]. Approximately 400 personnel from local, state and federal agencies, including firefighters and ground and air crews, are working on containment [5]. Other estimates put the emergency response team at about 1,000 personnel, including 800 firefighters [6].
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve encouraged evacuations, saying, "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." [5]. Firefighters faced "extreme red flag conditions" on August 22 with dry vegetation, low humidity and gusty winds, and experts expect similar conditions to continue [2].
All Washoe County schools were closed on August 24 except one, though the University of Nevada, Reno campus remains outside the evacuation zone. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is open and operating with normal flights [1, 5, 2, 6]. Evacuees are being sheltered at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and animal shelters, although pets are not allowed inside the convention center [5].
Officials continue firefighting efforts as the fire remains uncontained. The dynamic conditions and growth of the blaze suggest evacuations and emergency responses will remain in place for the near future [1, 7].
