Fire races toward Reno, forcing evacuations

A fast-moving wildfire is bearing down on Reno, Nevada, prompting large-scale evacuations and a state of emergency declared by Gov. Joe Lombardo on Saturday. The blaze, known as the Hawk Fire, began on Saturday near Hawk Meadow Trail and has grown rapidly, fueled by strong winds, low humidity and dry vegetation, according to Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue.

As of early Sunday, the fire had grown to more than 10,500 acres, according to state fire officials and the Associated Press reported. Nearly 14,000 homes were ordered evacuated, and the 'GO NOW' zone reached the edge of the University of Nevada campus, where about 24,000 students are due to begin fall classes. An additional 45,000 people were in an evacuation warning zone.

Local television footage showed flames approaching roads, and eyewitness video verified by Reuters showed smoke billowing over residential neighborhoods. The fire spread from the Sierra foothills toward the center of Reno, threatening homes and structures, as reported by several outlets.

State of emergency and response

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. The fire remained 0% contained by Sunday.

A statement from Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue said about 400 personnel were working the fire, with resources from local, state, and federal agencies, including ground crews and air resources. However, by the time the fire grew, some news organizations reported 800 fire personnel. The discrepancy in personnel numbers has not been resolved.

Power outages affected the region. According to several reports, outages peaked at 60,000 customers on Saturday but had declined to about 10,000 by early Sunday, as reported by NV Energy and other sources. Portions of U.S. Route 395, a major north-south highway, were closed due to the fire. Reno has a population of more than 280,000 residents.

The Reno-Sparks Convention Center was opened to evacuees, but pets were not allowed; separate locations were designated for small and large animals. Casinos in Reno offered discounts on hotel rooms to evacuees.

Human-caused, investigation ongoing

Authorities confirmed that the fire was human-caused but said the investigation is underway. The injured included three civilians and three first responders, officials said at a news conference. The fire had destroyed homes and several structures were destroyed.

"We can confirm that the fire was human-caused," said Shane Akerson, a battalion chief with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. "However, that is still undergoing active investigation and we don't have further details at this time." The sheriff's office said the fire moved exceptionally fast, jumping over fire trucks, and shifting winds made it difficult for responders.

Some 42,000 residents were under evacuation orders, and authorities urged them to be prepared to stay away for several days, as strengthening winds could make the fire unpredictable. "Please get out if you can right now," Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said.

Residents describe escape

The fire moved rapidly, catching some off guard. Tyler Duvall, a resident, said the fire was small Saturday morning but by Sunday his house was in the evacuation zone. "The wind really blew it up." He knew homes that had burned about a mile from his place.

Cari Kieffer and her husband raced to save their children and dogs after learning their home had been consumed. "I woke up this morning and just started crying, all my kids, they lost everything," she said. "We lost all our stuff. Everything we own is gone." A video she posted on social media showed her house entirely burned down, with only a basketball hoop left.

Emergency response and community support

The fire has prompted the closure of K-12 schools for Monday in Washoe County and some community college classes, while the University of Nevada, Reno planned to continue classes. A code of red flag conditions was expected, and officials urged residents to comply with evacuation orders.

Truckee Meadows Fire Chief Richard Edwards said the Hawk Fire is a-very dynamic incident driven by winds. "The wind-driven fires move very rapidly into our residential areas," he said in a video. He urged residents to pay attention to orders and leave early.

The fire was burning across a rugged section of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Peaven. Officials have established an information line for the public, and the Red Cross opened evacuation.

Perspective: Residents and officials on gripping ahead

As the fire continues to threaten homes, local officials emphasized the danger of traffic jams that could impede emergency efforts. "With our wind conditions and fire conditions, if you are in the yellow zone and you can leave, please leave," Sheriff Balaam said, echoing advice from officials who said residents should not wait for evacuation orders to be upgraded.

Balaam described the confusion caused by changing winds, saying "it was extremely confusing" as flames raced in different directions. People in the yellow 'get ready' zones were asked to leave earlier and not return for a few days to keep roads clear.