Firefighters battling the Hawk Fire northwest of Reno, Nevada, have reached 27% containment after the blaze destroyed at least 32 homes and damaged six others, fire officials said Monday.
Richard Edwards, chief of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, said damage assessment teams are still surveying affected areas and expect the number of destroyed and damaged structures, including some businesses, to rise. K9 search teams have found no indication of loss of life.
Origins and Investigation
The fire began Saturday in the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and has burned more than 15,000 acres. Officials said the blaze is human-caused, noting no natural ignition source was present in the area, though the specific cause remains under investigation. Authorities have not said whether the fire was set intentionally or started by accident.
Seven people have been injured, including four civilians and three firefighters who suffered minor burns during the initial attack, officials said.
Evacuations and Emergency Response
Evacuation orders, which affected roughly 90,000 residents in Washoe County at the weekend peak, have since been reduced to about 63,000 people as containment improved along the fire's southern edge near the Somersett community. Evacuees have been sheltering at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard, deploying two helicopter crews and about 60 troops to assist police in securing evacuated neighborhoods. More than 900 firefighters and other personnel are assigned to the fire, supported by helicopters and scooper aircraft drawing water from Stampede Reservoir.
Weather and Infrastructure Impacts
Milder weather on Monday helped crews gain containment, but fire officials warned that hot, dry and breezy conditions are expected to return over the next 48 hours, which could fuel renewed fire activity. Shifting winds have already complicated firefighting efforts and raised concerns about flames reaching densely built neighborhoods on Reno's edge.
About 10,000 NV Energy customers remain without power in Washoe County, down from roughly 60,000 at the height of the fire, after more than 100 power poles were damaged. A section of US Route 395 remains closed. Schools in the affected area were closed Monday and Tuesday.
The Nevada Attorney General's Office has warned businesses against price gouging on lodging, food and gasoline in areas affected by the fire, citing state protections triggered by the emergency declaration.
Further reading and useful links
Reader questions
Frequently asked questions
How many homes were destroyed in the Hawk Fire?
At least 32 homes have been destroyed and six others damaged by the Hawk Fire, though officials expect these numbers to rise as assessments continue.
What caused the Hawk Fire in Nevada?
Officials state the fire was human-caused because there were no natural ignition sources in the area, though it remains under active investigation to determine if it was intentional or accidental.
How many people are evacuated due to the Hawk Fire?
Evacuations peaked at roughly 90,000 residents in Washoe County but have since been reduced to about 63,000 as containment improved.
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