Wildfire Threatens Reno, Prompts Mass Evacuations
Fast-moving blaze, 0% contained, forces 90,000 residents from homes as emergency declared in Washoe County.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
A fast-moving wildfire is heading directly towards Reno, Nevada.
Schools in the county will close on Monday; mass road closures are now in effect.
The Hawk Fire, reportedly caused by human activity, remains under investigation. Officials provided no additional details on its origin.
The Nevada National Guard deployed 72 personnel and two helicopters to assist firefighting efforts; several mountaintop houses are understood to have been destroyed.
Nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in Washoe County are without power; portions of US Route 395 were closed.
Approximately 800 people, including crews from Australia and New Zealand, are supporting firefighting efforts. Extremely dry conditions across the American West prevail.
Authorities claim the fire has already burned some homes. Shifting winds could push the flames into newly developed, densely packed neighborhoods.