Overview
- The Hawk Fire, which surged on Sunday, has burned roughly 6,000 hectares and is located about 8 kilometers northwest of Reno.
- About 42,000 people have already evacuated and tens of thousands more were told to be ready to leave as authorities issued large evacuation orders.
- Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County and local officials closed schools and blocked roads to protect residents.
- Some 800 firefighters are battling the blaze with specialist crews from Australia and New Zealand helping, while local teams report wind-driven, extreme fire behavior.
- The fire is believed to be human-caused and under investigation, and dry conditions with shifting winds mean officials are warning of continued fast spread into residential areas.