A large wildfire named the Hawk Fire started on August 22, 2026, near Hawk Meadow Trail northwest of Reno city, Nevada [1, 2, 3]. The fire, confirmed to be human-caused and under investigation, has burned about 5,261 hectares (approximately 13,000 acres) as of August 23 [2, 3, 4].
Roughly 42,000 people were ordered to evacuate immediately, while an additional 45,000 were advised to prepare for evacuation. About 13,700 homes fall within the evacuation zones [1, 5, 2]. The fire threatened northern Reno neighborhoods and reached the outskirts of the University of Nevada campus [5, 2].
Six people have been injured, including three civilians and three first responders. Fire crews comprised approximately 400 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies, including aerial crews [1, 5, 2]. Firefighters faced extreme red flag conditions, with strong gusty winds, low humidity, dry vegetation, and shifting wind directions making containment difficult. Truckee Meadows Fire Chief Richard Edwards said firefighters worked amid "extreme red flag conditions" and anticipated such conditions would continue into the afternoon [2].
Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County on the evening of August 22 and ordered deployment of the National Guard with helicopters and ground troops to assist firefighting efforts [1, 2, 6]. Massive road closures and power outages affected about 10,000 electricity customers. While Reno-Tahoe International Airport remained open, smaller airports like Reno-Stead were closed to general aviation [5, 3].
Evacuation shelters were set up, including the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for people (pets were handled in separate facilities) [5, 2]. Reno, located near the California border about 60 km from Lake Tahoe, has a population of approximately 280,000 [1, 3].
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve urged residents not to delay evacuations, saying, "If you have been told to evacuate, please don’t wait! Structures have already been burned in this fire and your life is more important than a building" [5]. Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam warned of chaotic conditions and urged immediate departure due to shifting fire directions [7]. Governor Lombardo said, "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" [1].
The fire was first reported on August 22 at 11:15 a.m. local time near Hawk Meadow Trail and quickly spread, prompting the expanded evacuations by August 23 [1, 2, 3, 4, 7]. The state of emergency declaration and National Guard mobilization were issued that same evening.
Authorities continue to battle the blaze amid adverse weather and terrain conditions while investigating the exact cause. Evacuation orders remain in effect as firefighting efforts continue.
