A fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire known as the Hawk fire is threatening the city of Reno, Nevada. Starting Saturday to the northwest of the city, the blaze has exhibited extreme fire behavior and has been determined by officials to be human-caused, though it remains unclear if the fire was set intentionally or accidentally.
Authorities have ordered approximately 42,000 people to evacuate their homes, while an additional 45,000 are under evacuation warnings, bringing the total number of people urged to evacuate to around 90,000. The fire has left thousands of homes and businesses without power. While no deaths have been reported, at least six people have been injured, including three first responders.
Approximately 800 firefighters have been mobilized to battle the blaze, but efforts have been complicated by dry conditions and unpredictable, shifting winds. These conditions have caused the fire to jump over fire trucks and made it difficult for crews to reach hot spots, resulting in zero percent containment. Several mountaintop houses have been destroyed as a result of the fire.
Officials have warned residents to be prepared to stay away from their homes for several days as strengthening winds are expected to make the fire even more unpredictable. The evacuations in Reno mark another flashpoint in what has been a record-breaking fire season.