Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, where a wildfire is burning across more than 13,000 acres (more than 5,000 hectares). Local authorities ordered 42,000 residents to evacuate immediately and advised another 45,000 to prepare for this, CBS News reports.
According to authorities, the fire is not yet under control by firefighters – it is 0% contained. There are also fears of further spread of the fire in several directions due to strong winds.
The disaster has already injured six people, including three emergency workers, officials said. The state National Guard and helicopters were involved in the extinguishing efforts. Authorities also said the fire was believed to be caused by human error, but the investigation is ongoing.
The fire, dubbed the Hawk Fire, is located in the Humboldt-Toyabe National Forest near the California border. Residential areas in the neighborhood and the city of Reno, home to about 300,000 people, are at risk from its spread.
The county fire department and sheriff's office stressed that it is important for people in the yellow zone, where they are only asking to prepare for evacuation, to gather all the essentials, money, documents, clothing and prepare to transport pets. Fire Chief Richard Edwards described the incident as “fast-paced.”
On Sunday, August 23, about 10,000 homes and businesses in Washoe County were left without power amid the fire, CBS News adds. The fire closed portions of Highway 395, the main north-south road.
The Hawk Fire near Reno, Nevada, surged to over 10,500 acres overnight, forcing evacuations as strong winds fuel the blaze. https://t.co/3AaWADueTJ pic.twitter.com/cLjBRvUmxW
— ABC News (@ABC) August 23, 2026
