Authorities in Nevada have ordered tens of thousands of residents to evacuate as the Hawk Fire, a fast-moving wildfire propelled by strong winds, approaches the city of Reno. The blaze, which began on Saturday, had expanded to roughly 6,091 hectares by Sunday evening, according to InciWeb, the US government's fire tracking website.
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve told CNN that around 42,000 people have been forced to leave their homes, with an additional 45,000 told to prepare for possible evacuation. All but one school in Washoe County, where Reno is located, will remain closed on Monday as a precaution.
The fire is burning about 8 kilometres northwest of Reno, a metropolitan area home to more than 280,000 people, based on 2025 census data. No deaths have been reported, but local media say at least six people have been injured, including three first responders. Several mountaintop houses have been destroyed.
Officials have described the fire as "human-caused" but have not provided further details on how it started. Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, noting that the Hawk Fire "is spreading quickly and threatening homes and structures."
Firefighting efforts and international support
Local fire rescue services said around 800 personnel are supporting firefighting efforts, including crews from Australia and New Zealand. Images shared on social media by the fire service showed towering smoke clouds and flames over the mountains overlooking the city.
Fire Chief Richard Edwards emphasised the unpredictable nature of the blaze. "The Hawk Fire is a very dynamic incident for us as it's being driven by the winds. The wind-driven fires move very rapidly into our residential areas," he said.
Mayor Schieve urged residents to heed evacuation orders without delay. "If you have been told to evacuate, please don't wait!" she wrote on social media.
The situation in Nevada echoes the challenges faced across Europe this summer, where extreme weather has triggered mass evacuations from wildfires and floods. In southern Europe, similar wind-driven fires have tested emergency services, and the exposure of unexploded WWII bombs has added an extra layer of danger for crews.
As the Hawk Fire continues to threaten the Reno area, local authorities are focusing on protecting lives and property. The coming days will be critical as weather conditions and fire behaviour determine the next steps for the thousands of displaced residents.
