Hawk Fire in Nevada expands to over 10,500 acres, prompting evacuations
The fast-moving Hawk brush fire near Reno has burned more than 10,500 acres, threatened about 1,000 homes and forced evacuations, while officials declared a state of emergency.
A brush fire that ignited on a hillside outside Reno on Saturday has grown to more than 10,500 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The blaze, named the Hawk Fire, has threatened roughly 1,000 homes and caused evacuations to be broadened, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced a state of emergency for Washoe County, noting the fire was "spreading quickly and threatening homes and structures." > "The Hawk Fire is a very dynamic incident for us as it's being driven by the winds," Truckee Meadows Fire Chief Richard Edwards said in a video, adding that wind-driven flames move rapidly into residential areas and pose significant challenges for firefighters.
Authorities urged residents to follow evacuation orders, leave early if directed and prepare emergency kits. The fire forced the closure of a segment of U.S. 395 and left thousands without power. Northern Nevada Health Systems temporarily closed the emergency room at North Valleys north of Reno due to the evacuations.
Weather forecasts indicated a lower fire-weather threat for the West on Sunday, though near-elevated risk persisted in parts of the Northwest and northern Rockies. High temperatures in the 90s were expected across the region, with limited Red Flag Warnings in select areas of Washington, Idaho and Montana.