Nevada wildfire burns over 10,500 acres near Reno and forces 90,000 to evacuate
A fast-moving, wind-driven brush fire in northwest Reno burned more than 10,500 acres, injured six people, destroyed homes, and triggered a state of emergency across Washoe County.
Rapid spread and initial damage
The Hawk Fire ignited on Saturday, 22 August, in the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near the Hawk Meadow Trail. Propelled by strong, shifting winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, the blaze expanded to 10,523 acres (20 square miles) by Saturday evening. Firefighters faced severe containment challenges as flames leapt over fire apparatus in the foothills near the California state line. Multiple homes and structures were destroyed during the initial overnight push into residential neighborhoods. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam described the fast-moving conditions during the early hours of the response.
It was extremely confusing.
Evacuations and emergency declarations
By Sunday, 23 August, authorities had urged approximately 90,000 residents to evacuate across northwest Reno, a city of over 280,000 people. The official "GO NOW" mandatory evacuation zone covered 42,000 residents, reaching the edge of the University of Nevada Reno campus, while an adjacent warning zone applied to another 45,000 people. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and deployed the Nevada National Guard. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve called on residents to leave immediately rather than risk their lives trying to protect physical property.
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.
- Mandatory GO NOW zone
- 42000 people
- Evacuation warning zone
- 45000 people
Response operations and infrastructure impacts
Emergency agencies reported that at least six people sustained injuries in the blaze, including three civilians and three first responders. Response forces numbered between 400 and 800 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies, supported by National Guard Chinook and Black Hawk helicopter crews and 60 troops assigned to protect evacuated areas. The fire severed power lines, leaving nearly 10,000 Washoe County customers without electricity on Sunday, down from 60,000 on Saturday. Northern Nevada Health System evacuated patients and closed two medical centers, including Northwest Specialty Hospital, while authorities closed portions of US Route 395 alongside at least 20 local roads.
The wind-driven fires move very rapidly into our residential areas, creating a lot of challenges for our firefighters to save homes and protect lives.
- Fire begins near Hawk Meadow Trail in the Peavine Peak area
- Blaze grows to 10,523 acres as power outages peak at 60,000 customers
- Evacuation perimeter reaches the boundary of the University of Nevada campus
- State of emergency declared as evacuations expand to 90,000 residents
Community support and regional fire conditions
Officials opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Center as an evacuation shelter, instructing residents to take small and large domestic animals to separate holding sites, while local casinos offered discounted hotel rooms to displaced families. University of Nevada officials established emergency contingencies ahead of scheduled classes on 24 August, with the campus remaining just outside the active perimeter. Washoe County officials noted that the blaze appeared human-caused, though formal investigations into its exact origin continue. The incident is one of 44 active fires burning roughly 250,000 acres across Nevada during the 2026 western wildfire season.
