Nevada declares state of emergency as Hawk Fire threatens Reno

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County on Sunday as the fast-moving Hawk Fire swelled to more than 10,500 acres and threatened residential areas northwest of Reno, local authorities announced. The blaze was first reported shortly before 11:30 am local time on Saturday near Hawk Meadow Trail, approximately one mile north of Cold Creek Trail in the Somersett area. It had expanded to 10,523 acres by 9:30 pm Saturday as flames pushed toward populated zones, according to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.

Mass evacuations ordered

"I have declared a state of emergency in Washoe County as we respond to the Hawk Fire, which is spreading quickly and threatening homes and structures," Lombardo said in a statement. The governor's declaration came as evacuation zones expanded rapidly throughout the day, with officials urging roughly 90,000 people to flee the approaching flames. New evacuation orders took effect for the Somersett community, including areas north of Somersett Parkway to Robb Drive, as well as neighborhoods north of W. 7th Street to N. McCarran Boulevard, the sheriff's office said.

Highway closures and casualties

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office closed US 395 highway from Parr Boulevard to Red Rock Road and directed travelers to use alternate routes. Three civilians and three first responders sustained injuries in the fire, said Shane Akerson, a unified incident commander with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Approximately 5,000 residents remained without power as of Sunday, he added, while the sheriff's office confirmed the blaze was human-caused.