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The Un-Spun Zone.

Composite story

Hawk Fire races across the Reno hills, pushing tens of thousands out

Officials say the human-caused blaze is uncontained, has burned more than 13,000 acres, and put about 42,000 people under mandatory evacuation.

The Hawk Fire started Saturday in the hills outside Reno and, driven by wind, grew past 13,000 acres with zero containment reported Sunday; later mapping put it near 15,000 acres. Unified commanders said it is human-caused. About 42,000 people were ordered to leave and another 45,000 were told to be ready; officials put roughly 90,000 in the affected zones. Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency. Six people were injured, none reported life-threatening. A hospital evacuated patients. Schools in Washoe County were canceled Monday. Sources agree on the scale and the human cause; acreage and power-outage counts moved through the day as the fire grew.

Shared facts

Several main thoroughfares are closed to all traffic in and around the evacuation zones. As of 7:30 a.m. Sunday, those include:

The number of potentially affected residents by the Hawk Fire currently stands just under 90,000 people

While officials confirmed that structures have been burned in the fire, they were unable to provide an exact count because the sites are not safe yet for investigators to enter

“We can confirm that the fire was human caused,” said Shane Akerson, a battalion chief with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District

“Currently, we have 42,000 individuals who are placed on active evacuation, with approximately 45,000 individuals that are in the set status to be prepared to be evacuated,” Akerson said

The fire was listed at 0% containment as of 11 a.m. Sunday

About 1,000 homes were in a warning zone, with residents told to be ready to leave.

At least six injuries have been injured from the Hawk Fire so far — three civilians and three first responders, according to Akerson

Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County

Partly cloudy conditions with southwest winds 10-15 mph are expected on Monday

Melden has not been ordered to leave but has bags packed.

Tyler Duvall said the fire was so small Saturday morning it was not a concern.

GoFundMe campaigns were set up for Arrate and the Kieffer family.

“However, that is still undergoing active investigation and we don’t have further details provided at this time.”

Sheriff Balaam said people should get out right now if they can.

About 400 local, state and federal personnel are assigned to the incident, including ground crews and air resources

Northbound Robb Drive is closed at W. 7th Street (near the McQueen High School campus)

U.S. 395 through the North Valleys is closed to all inbound traffic between Parr Boulevard and Bordertown

Edwards said wind-driven fires move very rapidly into residential areas.

Other areas east of Virginia Street such as Bonanza Casino, which is just a mile away from the detention center, are within the yellow “get ready” evacuation zone as of Sunday afternoon

Two hospitals evacuated patients.

Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center is no longer an evacuation shelter for the Hawk Fire

Disputed facts

More than 10,000 NV Energy customers remain without power in Washoe County as of noon Sunday

ABC News

Fast-growing Hawk Fire grows to 13,000 acres near Reno, spurs 42,000 evacuations

Tristan Maglunog, Jenna Harrison, Jack Moore, and Bill Hutchinson

23 Aug 2026

Facts

The North Valleys emergency room was temporarily closed due to evacuations.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

Fox News

Hawk Fire explodes to 13,000 acres near Reno, forcing evacuations

Fox News

23 Aug 2026

Facts

No unique facts.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

CNN

Nevada’s Hawk Fire blamed on human activity, official says, as 90,000 urged to flee

Maria Aguilar Prieto, Hanna Park and Martin Goillandeau

23 Aug 2026

Facts

Reno’s fire chief said none of the injuries are life-threatening.

Cochran said there is no indication the fire was intentionally set.

Somersett resident Ken McNeil said his wife is prepared to get them out.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

Associated Press

Fast-moving wildfire amid shifting winds threatens Reno, Nevada, forcing thousands to evacuate

John Raby, Jack Brook and John Seewer

23 Aug 2026

Facts

He mobilized the National Guard with two helicopter crews and 60 troops.

Reno has more than 280,000 residents.

Opinion

No opinion marked.

Reno Gazette Journal

Hawk Fire update Sunday: Grows to 15K acres; Reno-Sparks schools closed

Brett McGinness, Jeffrey Meehan, Siobhan McAndrew, Jason Hidalgo and Mark Robison

23 Aug 2026

Facts

Areas around Somersett Parkway, including Sierra Vista Park, Canyon Golf, Somersett Golf and Country Club, and Somersett West Park

Opinion

No opinion marked.