Hawk Fire Forces Mass Evacuations and Destroys Homes in Reno
A fast-moving wildfire forced thousands of residents to evacuate northwest Reno, Nevada, on Sunday, August 24, 2026, after rapidly jumping over fire trucks and defying containment efforts in rugged foothills near the California state line. According to local authorities, shifting and strengthening winds pushed the blaze across the Peavine Peak area within the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest, destroying homes and leaving firefighters struggling to reach active hot spots.
Evacuations and Impact on Reno Residents
Authorities urged approximately 90,000 people to evacuate the affected area as the “GO NOW” zone expanded to the edge of the University of Nevada. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam urged residents to leave immediately, warning that shifting winds would make the fire increasingly unpredictable. Officials placed roughly 42,000 residents under mandatory evacuation orders while another 45,000 remained in an adjacent evacuation warning zone. According to emergency management officials, evacuees were advised to prepare to stay away from their properties for several days.
The fire’s rapid progression caught many families off guard. Resident Cari Kieffer stated that tracking apps lagged significantly behind the actual advance of the flames, leading her family to believe firefighters had secured their neighborhood. Instead, Kieffer, her husband, and their four children fled as ash rained down and intense heat rolled off the hillside. Later updates confirmed their home was entirely destroyed, leaving only a scorched basketball hoop standing.
Emergency Response and Infrastructure Disruptions
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard. The deployment included two helicopter crews to support aerial firefighting efforts along with 60 troops tasked with helping local police secure evacuated neighborhoods. In total, approximately 800 fire personnel responded to the incident.
The blaze caused widespread disruption across the region. Power outages affected roughly 10,000 customers in Washoe County on Sunday, down from 60,000 the previous day, according to emergency reports. Authorities also closed portions of U.S. Route 395, a major north-south transportation corridor. To accommodate displaced individuals, Washoe County emergency officials opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Centre.
At least six injuries—involving three first responders and three civilians—were reported by officials. Investigators stated that the fire was “human-caused,” though authorities did not immediately release details on how that determination was reached or whether the ignition was accidental or intentional.