Wildfire Near Reno Forces Thousands To Evacuate

A fast-moving wildfire near Reno, Nevada, has forced thousands of residents to evacuate as shifting winds challenge firefighting efforts across the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, according to local officials.

The Hawk Fire began on August 24, 2026, and rapidly expanded to cover more than 60 square kilometers across the Peavine Peak area near the California state line. Strong, gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation fueled the flames as they advanced toward the outskirts of Reno, a city with a population exceeding 280,000.

Authorities issued strict evacuation orders for 42,000 residents within the expanded “GO NOW” zone, which reached the edge of the University of Nevada campus. An additional 45,000 people were placed under an evacuation warning zone, bringing the total number of individuals urged to flee to roughly 90,000, according to emergency officials.

Evacuation Orders and Public Safety Response

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam urged residents to leave immediately, describing the fire’s movement as exceptionally fast and erratic due to changing wind directions. “Please get out if you can right now,” Sheriff Balaam said.

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve also emphasized the urgency of compliance in a statement posted on social media. “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,” Mayor Schieve said.

Emergency officials opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Centre as an evacuation shelter, though pets were directed to two separate designated facilities for small and large animals. Casinos in Reno offered discounted hotel rooms to displaced residents, while approximately 20 road closures remained in effect, including portions of U.S. Route 395.

Emergency Declarations and Resource Deployment

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard. The deployment included two helicopter crews to support aerial firefighting operations and 60 troops assigned to assist police with safeguarding evacuated neighborhoods.

Approximately 800 fire personnel responded to the incident, utilizing ground crews and air resources from local, state, and federal agencies. Power disruptions affected nearly 10,000 customers in Washoe County on Sunday, down from 60,000 the previous day.

Officials confirmed that at least six people—three first responders and three civilians—sustained injuries during the incident. Authorities stated that the Hawk Fire was human-caused, though an active investigation remains underway to determine specific details regarding how the fire started.