A rapidly spreading wildfire confirmed by authorities to have been caused by human activity has forced around 42,000 people to evacuate northwest of Reno, Nevada, while six people have been injured.
The Hawk Fire erupted on Saturday and had burned more than 15,000 acres (61 square kilometres) by Sunday, destroying several structures and injuring three civilians and three first responders.
Officials have not yet established whether the human action that sparked the blaze was accidental or deliberate, with the precise cause still under investigation. Mandatory evacuation orders have reached the outskirts of the University of Nevada, Reno, while another 45,000 residents in a “GET SET” zone have been warned to prepare to leave for several days.
Powerful and shifting winds repeatedly changed the fire’s direction, reportedly sending flames over fire trucks and preventing crews from reaching some hot spots. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam described conditions as “extremely confusing” and urged those under evacuation warnings: “Please get out if you can right now.” Governor Joe Lombardo has declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, while the National Guard has deployed 60 personnel and two helicopter crews to support firefighting and protect evacuated neighbourhoods.
JUST IN: Human-caused Hawk Fire spreads toward neighborhoods in northwest Reno, Nevada, burning homes and injuring at least 6 people, according to press conference. pic.twitter.com/rLJ16jK6wt
— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) August 23, 2026
Two hospitals have relocated patients, authorities are monitoring whether the county jail will need to be evacuated, and sections of US Route 395 have been closed. Nearly 60,000 customers initially lost electricity, although that number had fallen to around 10,000 by Sunday.
VIDEO: Nevada Army Guard drops water on Hawk Fire, Aug. 23, 2026. #hawkfire pic.twitter.com/aDSQzeleK9
— Nevada Guard (@NVNationalGuard) August 23, 2026
