Hawk Fire in Reno, Nevada Injures Six and Forces 42,000 to Evacuate

The Hawk fire, which is approximately 27% contained, has led to evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents in Reno, Nevada, as of Monday afternoon. The wildfire, which began on Saturday, has prompted a 'go-now' order for 23,000 individuals and a 'get-set' warning for 40,000 others, a decrease from the 90,000 under evacuation orders earlier that day. Richard Edwards, chief of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, reported that 32 homes have been destroyed and six damaged, with expectations that these numbers may rise as damage assessments continue. Canine search teams will be deployed to clear the area, although no fatalities have been reported. Four civilians and three firefighters have sustained injuries. The fire has burned over 15,000 acres and is threatening foothill neighborhoods in the region. Portions of US Route 395, which had been closed, were reopened on Monday. Edwards confirmed that the fire was human-caused but did not specify whether it was intentional. The Reno area has experienced three significant wildfires in the past two weeks, all attributed to human activity. Local evacuee Teresa Lenshyn described the evacuation as chaotic and stressful. Most schools in Washoe County closed to facilitate access for first responders, while the University of Nevada, Reno, continued operations. Nearly 10,000 homes and businesses were without power, with NV Energy working to restore service. Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, emphasizing the rapidly evolving situation. Firefighting efforts are supported by approximately 800 personnel, including crews from Australia and New Zealand. The California governor's office of emergency services announced mobilization of local fire agencies to assist in the firefighting efforts. The Burning Man festival organizers urged attendees to avoid taking resources from fire evacuees. The western United States has faced a severe fire season this summer, with over 50,000 wildfires reported nationwide, burning more than 7.8 million acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.