Hawk Fire Forces Thousands to Evacuate Near Reno
The fast-growing Hawk Fire has spread from the Sierra foothills toward the center of Reno, Nevada, growing to more than 10,500 acres by Sunday morning with zero percent containment. Nearly 14,000 homes were ordered evacuated, and the “GO NOW” zone reached the edge of the University of Nevada campus, according to AP News.
The fire, which started around 11:30 a.m. Saturday approximately one mile north of Cold Creek Trail near Somersett, exploded in size throughout the day, fueled by strong, gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation. An area of about 75 square miles remained under mandatory evacuation orders as of Sunday morning, with more than 42,000 residents living within the evacuation zones, the Reno Gazette Journal reported.
State of Emergency Declared
Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard to support aerial firefighting with two helicopter crews and 60 troops to help police safeguard evacuated neighborhoods. CBS News reported that approximately 400 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies are working the incident, including ground crews and air resources.
“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,” Lombardo said in a statement. “The state is fully engaged, and we are working alongside local authorities and first responders to deploy every available resource to protect lives, safeguard communities, and keep Nevadans out of harm’s way.”
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve confirmed that structures have been lost in the fire, urging residents to evacuate without delay. “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,” Schieve said in a statement posted on social media.
Evacuations and Emergency Response
Washoe County emergency officials opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Center as the primary evacuation center, though pets are not permitted at that location. Small animals are being directed to Washoe County Regional Animal Services, while large animals can be taken to the Ironwood Event Center. The Evelyn Mount Community Center, which had been serving as an evacuation point, is at capacity and can no longer accept evacuees.
Nearly 10,000 homes and businesses were without power in Washoe County on Sunday morning, down from a peak of more than 48,700 customers on Saturday evening. Portions of U.S. Route 395, a major north-south highway, were closed due to the fire, with multiple road closures in effect throughout the affected area.
The North Valleys ER, a freestanding emergency department, was temporarily closed and evacuated patients due to the fire. Northwest Specialty Hospital also evacuated all patients out of an abundance of caution, according to CNN via KTVZ.
The University of Nevada, Reno campus sits just outside the evacuation zone, with university officials establishing an emergency response plan should conditions change. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport remains outside the evacuation zone, and commercial flights were unaffected. The smaller Reno-Stead Airport was closed to general aviation traffic but remained open for firefighting aircraft.
Firefighting Efforts and Community Impact
Richard Edwards, chief of Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue, described the incident as “a very dynamic incident for us as it’s being driven by the winds.” He added that “wind-driven fires move very rapidly into our residential areas, creating a lot of challenges for our firefighters to save homes and protect lives.”
About 10 air resources were ordered and set to begin attacking the fire Sunday morning. Resources from the nearby Bug and Stallion fires, which have been burning in the region since early August, are also assisting with the Hawk Fire as needed, including helicopter aviation assets.
Residents in the affected areas have been coping with the rapidly evolving situation. Tyler Duvall, a Reno resident who went camping over the weekend, said the fire was so small Saturday morning that it wasn’t even a concern. By the next day, his house was in the evacuation zone and he couldn’t get back. “The wind really blew it up,” Duvall said, adding that he knows of some homes that burned about a mile from his place.
Casinos in Reno, including Silver Legacy, Eldorado, Circus Circus Reno, and J Resort, have offered discounted room rates for evacuees.
What’s Next
The fire’s cause remains undetermined. The National Weather Service’s Red Flag Warning for the region ended at 11 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday’s forecast calls for sunny skies with light southwest winds up to 10 mph, which could provide some relief to firefighting efforts. However, officials warn that conditions remain critical, and residents in warning zones are urged not to wait for the wind to shift before preparing to evacuate.
Earlier this month, three wildfires fueled by hot, dry, and windy conditions north of Reno forced more than 13,000 residents from their homes, according to the Nevada National Guard. The Bug Fire and Stallion Fire were only recently being wound down when the Hawk Fire ignited, underscoring the intensity of the 2026 western wildfire season.
Authorities continue to urge residents to monitor evacuation maps and follow the direction of local officials as the situation develops.