RENO, NEVADA / RankWire.AI / – The Hawk Fire near Reno has destroyed 47 homes and one commercial building, while firefighters raised containment to 85% late Tuesday. The wildfire covered 15,067 acres after racing through dry terrain northwest of the city since Saturday. Eight additional homes sustained serious damage in the latest completed assessment. No deaths have occurred, while seven people suffered injuries during the fire response. The updated damage count rose significantly from earlier assessments. Crews also held the fire’s overall footprint steady as containment increased.
Washoe County assessment teams completed an initial sweep of fire-affected neighborhoods on Tuesday. The losses clustered west of U.S. Highway 395, with fewer damaged properties on the eastern side. Authorities said canine search teams checked affected areas and found no indications of victims. Fire officials said the blaze traveled about six miles during its first 24 hours. The rapid advance forced large-scale evacuations across communities north and northwest of Reno. Damage teams continued documenting losses as residents received information about affected properties.
Authorities allowed about 9,300 residents east of U.S. 395 to return home Tuesday as conditions improved. About 5,000 people remained under evacuation orders at the afternoon briefing. Some neighborhoods moved from mandatory evacuation status to lower alert levels as crews secured containment lines. Road access also improved after closures had disrupted travel through the northern Reno area. Residents returning to burned areas faced damaged utilities, debris and remaining hot spots near affected properties. Officials continued directing residents to current evacuation information before traveling into restricted areas.
Evacuations ease as containment rises
Fire crews held the Hawk Fire at 15,067 acres while expanding containment around its perimeter. The number of assigned personnel fell to 586 late Tuesday as containment increased. Crews continued checking hot spots, strengthening fire lines and working around damaged neighborhoods. The response had earlier drawn hundreds of firefighters, engines, helicopters and other resources to northern Nevada. Firefighters arrived from multiple U.S. states, with additional personnel from Australia and New Zealand. The operation focused on securing existing lines and reducing remaining heat inside the burned area.
Officials have classified the Hawk Fire as human-caused, and investigators continue examining how it started. They have not announced whether the ignition was accidental or intentional. The fire began Saturday near the Somersett area and spread quickly through dry vegetation. Strong winds pushed flames toward populated sections of northwest Reno during the first day. Firefighters later gained more control as conditions allowed crews to strengthen containment around the perimeter. Authorities have released no additional findings about the source of the ignition.
State response supports wildfire operations
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for the county during the weekend. The declaration directed state agencies to support local operations through Nevada’s emergency management system. It also enabled coordination for firefighting, public safety and recovery needs in communities affected by the Hawk Fire. State resources supported local crews as evacuation zones expanded and thousands of residents left their homes. The emergency declaration remains scheduled through August 29 unless authorities terminate it sooner. Emergency operations also supported local agencies managing evacuations, public information and community assistance.
The Hawk Fire damaged power infrastructure, including about 100 wooden utility poles, during its advance through the Reno area. Utility crews worked to restore service as residents returned to neighborhoods opened for repopulation. Firefighters continued patrols, damage inspections and safety checks around the perimeter late Tuesday. Authorities also continued updating evacuation zones as restrictions changed across the affected area. The confirmed toll stood at 47 destroyed homes, eight seriously damaged homes and one lost commercial building. With containment at 85%, crews remained assigned to suppression and safety work across the fire zone.