Full story
Hawk Fire spreads near Reno
A fast-growing wildfire known as the Hawk Fire burned across the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest near Reno, Nevada, and by early Sunday was pushing toward the center of the city with the “GO NOW” evacuation zone reaching the edge of the University of Nevada campus.
“fue causado por actividad humana y sigue sin estar controlado”
Cadena 3 Argentina said the fire devastated homes in the northwest of Reno and forced evacuations of around 90,000 residents, while also reporting at least six people injured.
CBS News reported that six people, including three responders, were injured, and said the fire was moving in different directions as winds changed, with the Hawk Fire at 0% contained as of Sunday morning.
The fire began Saturday and expanded rapidly, reaching 53 kilómetros cuadrados (20 millas cuadradas) in the area of Peavine Peak of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest, according to Cadena 3 Argentina.
CBS News said the fire was believed to have been caused by a human, but that the investigation was ongoing as officials urged evacuations.
Officials urge evacuation
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard to support aerial firefighting with two helicopter crews and 60 troops to help police safeguard evacuated neighborhoods.
In a statement posted on social media, Lombardo urged residents to stay vigilant and follow local directions, writing, "This is an active and rapidly evolving situation, and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the direction of local officials."
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve also pressed residents to leave, telling them, "If you have been told to evacuate, please don't wait!" as structures had already been burned in the fire.
The Guardian reported that Washoe County sheriff Darin Balaam described the situation as "extremely confusing" because changing winds sent flames in different directions.
CNN en Español said Lombardo wrote on X, "Esta es una situación activa y que evoluciona rápidamente, e insto a todos los que se encuentran en las zonas afectadas a mantenerse alerta," as evacuation orders expanded toward Somersett and north of Reno.
Power outages and closures
As the Hawk Fire grew, officials said nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in Washoe County were without power on Sunday, and portions of U.S. Route 395 were closed due to the fire.
“"The safety and well-being of our patients and staff remain our highest priority"”
Cadena 3 Argentina said the Reno-Sparks Convention Center was opened to house evacuees, but emergency officials reported they could not bring their pets, with small and large animals to be taken to two other locations.
CBS News reported that the Northwest Specialty Hospital in Washoe County evacuated all patients out of an abundance of caution, and said the Northern Nevada Health System stated, "The safety and well-being of our patients and staff remain our highest priority."
The Guardian added that authorities were closely watching a county detention facility located several blocks from the outer edge of the evacuation warning area, with Darin Balaam saying, "We have those inmates in mind and we are making sure that we have plans in place in case we may have to evacuate the facility."
In addition to sheltering and closures, Cadena 3 Argentina reported that two hospitals evacuated patients and that police monitored the situation to decide whether it was necessary to evacuate the jail, while also noting that the fire was under investigation.