The fast-moving Hawk Fire burned into the foothills near northwest Reno over the weekend, forcing mass evacuations and leaving multiple people injured as crews struggled to contain flames that spread through the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest.
Scale, impacts and injuries
Authorities said the blaze began Saturday and quickly grew to about 20 square miles (53 sq. km.). The fire moved with exceptional speed Saturday night, at times jumping over fire trucks and hampering efforts to reach hotspots while residents were evacuating. Officials reported six people injured — three civilians and three first responders — though they did not release further details about their conditions.
Washoe County officials encouraged roughly 90,000 people to evacuate, with specific orders and warnings broken down as follows:
- 42,000 residents ordered to evacuate in the "GO NOW" zone, which at one point reached the edge of the University of Nevada, Reno.
- 45,000 additional residents placed in an evacuation warning area and told to be ready to leave.
"It was extremely confusing," Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said, describing how changing winds pushed the flames in different directions as people escaped.
Response and public safety measures
Governor 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 to provide 60 troops for neighborhood security. Local and regional firefighting efforts included about 800 fire personnel on scene.
Utility disruptions were significant: nearly 10,000 customers remained without power on Sunday, down from roughly 60,000 the day before. Portions of U.S. Route 395 were closed where the fire threatened the roadway. Authorities warned residents to be prepared to remain away from evacuated areas for several days as winds and fire behavior remained unpredictable.
| Metric | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Approximate area burned | 20 square miles (53 sq. km.) |
| People ordered to evacuate | 42,000 |
| People in evacuation warning zone | 45,000 |
| Injured | 6 (3 civilians, 3 first responders) |
| Fire personnel on scene | About 800 |
Investigation and what residents need to know
Officials said the fire was human-caused and remains under investigation; they did not release information about a suspected ignition source. Because shifting winds and dry conditions can make containment difficult, authorities urged anyone in evacuation zones to leave immediately, and those in warning zones to prepare to depart on short notice.
Local residents seeking assistance or information should follow Washoe County emergency channels and traffic advisories for U.S. Route 395. The scale of the response — including the National Guard deployment and sustained firefighting force — reflects the rapidly evolving nature of the threat to neighborhoods along the Peavine Peak ridgeline and the outskirts of Reno.
As crews work to slow the blaze and investigators determine its origin, community providers and emergency managers will continue coordinating shelter, traffic and safety information for affected households.
