The Hawk Fire destroys homes and forces 90,000 residents to evacuate in northwest Reno, Nevada
The Hawk Fire, a human-caused wildfire, has destroyed numerous structures and forced approximately 90,000 residents to evacuate in the northwest Reno area. The blaze, which began on Saturday, has burned over 10,000 acres and is currently uncontained. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam reported that shifting winds and dry vegetation have caused the fire to move exceptionally fast, jumping over fire trucks and making it difficult for responders to reach hotspots. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, mobilizing the Nevada National Guard to support 800 fire personnel. The fire has caused power outages for thousands of customers and closed portions of U.S. Route 395. Washoe County School District officials announced that all schools, except for the Gerlach K-12 School, will be canceled on Monday, August 24. Residents are being urged to leave the area to prepare for unpredictable weather and strengthening winds that may further influence the fire's growth.