The Hawk Fire Reno evacuation expanded rapidly over the weekend, with nearly 14,000 homes ordered to evacuate as the blaze tore through the Sierra foothills and pushed toward the heart of the city.
The fire had grown to more than 10,500 acres by Sunday. By Monday it had spread to over 15,000 acres, according to the BBC.
The blaze takes its name from its point of origin. According to the BBC, it was first reported near the Hawk Meadow Trail, to the west of Reno.
Hawk Fire Reno evacuation reaches university campus
The “Go Now” evacuation zone reached the edge of the University of Nevada campus. Portions of U.S. Route 395, a major north-south highway, were closed as the fire advanced.
Nearly 10,000 homes and businesses were without power in Washoe County on Sunday.
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve urged residents not to delay. “If you have been told to evacuate, please don’t wait!” she said in a statement posted to social media late Saturday night. “Structures have already been burned in this fire and your life is more important than a building. Evacuating before the fire arrives also allows our firefighters to focus their efforts on battling the blaze.”
Nevada National Guard deployed as governor declares emergency
Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilised the Nevada National Guard. Two helicopter crews and 60 troops were deployed to support aerial firefighting and help police safeguard evacuated neighbourhoods.
Washoe County emergency officials opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Center to evacuees. Pets could not be brought to that facility; small and large animals were directed to two separate locations.
The fire apparently began on Saturday, fuelled by strong, gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation, according to a statement from Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue, which joined the effort from across the California state line.
“Approximately 400 personnel are currently working on the incident, with resources coming together from local, state and federal agencies, including ground crews and air resources,” the Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue statement said.
Detention facility monitored as evacuation warning zone expands
Authorities were also watching a county detention facility located several blocks from the outer edge of the evacuation warning area.
“We have those inmates in mind and we are making sure that we have plans in place in case we may have to evacuate the facility,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said.
The Hawk Fire is not the first major wildfire to threaten the Reno area in recent weeks. Earlier this month, three separate wildfires fuelled by hot, dry and windy conditions north of Reno forced more than 13,000 residents from their homes, according to the Nevada National Guard.
Firefighting resources continue to arrive from local, state and federal agencies as conditions remain challenging across the region.
