Hawk Fire Forces Tens of Thousands to Evacuate on Reno’s Northwest Side

A fast-moving wildfire on the slopes of Peavine Peak led to evacuation orders and warnings for tens of thousands of residents on Reno’s northwest side Saturday and Sunday, with no containment reported Sunday, the Associated Press reported. The Hawk Fire had burned about 20 square miles in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and nearby neighborhoods by Sunday, PBS NewsHour reported.

About 42,000 residents were ordered to leave a “GO NOW” zone, and about 45,000 more were in the adjacent warning zone, with officials urging all of them to stay away for several days, PBS NewsHour reported. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve urged residents on Saturday to leave at once, saying, “If you are told to evacuate, please don’t wait,” according to Fox Weather.

At least six people were hurt, three civilians and three first responders, PBS reported. Several structures were destroyed, including a family home in the evacuation zone, a mountaintop home on Peavine Mountain and a taxidermy shop. One nearby house was reportedly spared after a landscaping crew cut a fire break. “Everything we own is gone,” Cari Kieffer, whose family lost its home, told the AP.

Authorities said the fire was human-caused but did not say how it started, and the cause is under investigation, according to PBS and the AP. Fox Weather said it began Saturday off Hawk Meadow Trail near the Somersett neighborhood.

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said changing winds made the fire hard to track and that it moved very quickly. “It was extremely confusing,” he said, and he urged people: “Please get out if you can right now.” Fox Weather reported that shifting winds were pushing the fire in several directions toward dense residential areas.

Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard, including two helicopter crews and 60 troops to guard evacuated neighborhoods, PBS reported. About 800 firefighting personnel were responding.

Power outages fell to about 10,000 customers on Sunday from 60,000 on Saturday. Parts of U.S. Route 395 were closed. Two hospitals moved patients out of harm’s way, and the sheriff’s office was weighing whether to evacuate the county jail, PBS reported. The American Red Cross opened an evacuation shelter, Fox Weather reported.

Officials asked residents to stay out of evacuation areas until orders are lifted. Fox Weather said the fire was fueled by strong winds, low humidity and dry vegetation.