Fast-moving wildfire in Reno, Nevada, forces tens of thousands to evacuate homes

Reno Wildfire Forces 90,000 to Evacuate

Wanderstayfinder.com – A fast-moving wildfire in Reno, Nevada, surged past 13,000 acres (5,200 hectares) on Sunday as flames raced from the Sierra foothills toward the city core, prompting nearly 90,000 residents to leave their homes. The blaze, identified as the Hawk fire, pushed to the perimeter of the University of Nevada campus under conditions of gusty winds, low humidity, and parched vegetation, according to Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue. Of the total urged to depart, 42,000 faced mandatory evacuation orders while another 45,000 sat inside a warning zone advised to leave immediately and expect to remain displaced for days.

“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 Hillary Schieve, Reno

Schieve posted the appeal on social media Saturday night, adding that early departure lets firefighters concentrate on containment. Authorities confirmed six injuries—three civilians and three first responders—and reported several structures destroyed. The fire was attributed to human cause, though specifics remained under investigation. Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency across Washoe county and activated the Nevada National Guard.

Aerial Response and Infrastructure Disruption

Two helicopter crews joined ground operations, and 60 guard troops were tasked with securing evacuated neighborhoods alongside local police. Washoe county sheriff Darin Balaam described Saturday night as “extremely confusing,” with shifting winds sending the fast-moving wildfire in Reno toward unpredictable directions, leaping over fire trucks and trapping crews while residents fled. Tyler Duvall, who had left for a weekend camping trip, found his home inside the evacuation zone by Sunday. “The wind really blew it up,” he recalled.

Roughly 400 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies were engaged on the incident by Sunday, per the Truckee Meadows statement. Nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in Washoe county lost power, and at least 20 road closures were in effect. Segments of US Route 395, the principal north-south corridor through the region, were shut down. David Barb, returning from a hunting trip, discovered his taxidermy shop had been leveled; his nearby house survived only because landscaping workers had cut a fire break while his wife was still home. “I’m kind of devastated, but thank God everyone’s safe,” he said.

The Reno-Sparks Convention Center was opened as a shelter, though pets were directed to two separate intake locations. Local casinos extended discounted hotel rates to displaced residents. The University of Nevada, Reno—enrollment approximately 24,000 in fall 2025—remained just outside the evacuation boundary on Sunday morning and activated an emergency-response plan; classes were scheduled to begin 24 August, with new students permitted to arrive from 13 August. Reno-Tahoe International Airport continued normal commercial operations, while the smaller Reno-Stead field closed to general aviation but stayed open to firefighting aircraft. Sheriff Balaam confirmed that a county detention facility near the warning-zone perimeter had evacuation contingencies in place.

The Hawk fire arrived weeks after three separate blazes fueled by dry, windy conditions north of Reno displaced more than 13,000 residents earlier in the month, underscoring a prolonged stretch of elevated fire risk across the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

How large is the Hawk fire and where is it burning?

As of Sunday the fire had consumed more than 13,000 acres (5,200 hectares) in the Sierra foothills west of Reno, Washoe county, Nevada, and had reached the outer edge of the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

How many people were ordered to evacuate?

Nearly 90,000 residents were urged to leave. Forty-two thousand were under mandatory evacuation orders; an additional 45,000 were in a warning zone advised to depart immediately.

Where can evacuees shelter, and what happens to pets?

The Reno-Sparks Convention Center was opened for displaced residents but does not accept animals. Small and large pets were directed to two separate intake locations identified by county emergency officials. Local casinos also offered discounted hotel rooms.

Is the University of Nevada, Reno open?

The campus remained outside the evacuation zone on Sunday morning. Officials activated an emergency-response plan, and the first day of classes was set for 24 August. New students had been allowed to move in as early as 13 August.

What is the cause of the fire?

Authorities stated the fire was human-caused but declined to specify the ignition source, noting the investigation was ongoing.