Rapidly Expanding Wildfire Forces Thousands to Evacuate Reno Homes as Blaze Threatens University Campus

A rapidly expanding wildfire in northern Nevada has grown to over 10,500 acres, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents as the fire moves from the Sierra foothills toward downtown Reno. The aggressive blaze threatened residential neighborhoods and encroached upon the edge of the University of Nevada campus.

The Hawk Fire’s urgent “GO NOW” evacuation order expanded to the edge of the university campus, driven by strong, gusty winds, critically low humidity, and abundant dry vegetation.

Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve urged residents to evacuate immediately via a social media statement on Saturday night. “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,” she emphasized, noting that early evacuation allows firefighters to focus on containing the flames.

Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard to assist in containment efforts. Two helicopter crews have been deployed to support aerial firefighting operations, and 60 troops were assigned to help secure evacuated neighborhoods.

According to Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue, approximately 400 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies are currently working on the incident, utilizing both ground crews and air resources.

As the rapidly expanding fire surrounded residential areas, nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in Washoe County lost power. Key portions of US Route 395, a major north-south highway, were closed to traffic due to the wildfire.

Reno, which has a population of more than 280,000 residents, faced significant threat as the fire pushed toward urban areas.

Washoe County emergency officials opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Center as an evacuation shelter, though pets were not permitted inside. Evacuees with small and large animals were directed to two alternative locations, while local casinos offered discounted hotel rooms to those displaced by the fire.

As of Sunday afternoon, at least 20 road closures remained in effect across the region.

The University of Nevada, Reno campus remained just outside the mandatory evacuation zone on Sunday morning. With an enrollment of approximately 24,000 students in fall 2025, university officials established an emergency response plan should conditions deteriorate. While the first day of classes is scheduled for August 24, new students were permitted to move in starting August 13.

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport remained outside the evacuation zone, and commercial flights operated normally on Sunday. However, the smaller Reno-Stead Airport was closed to general aviation traffic due to the Hawk fire, remaining open only to firefighting aircraft.

Authorities were closely monitoring a county detention facility located just several blocks from the outer edge of the evacuation warning area.

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam stated that they have plans in place to evacuate the facility if necessary, emphasizing that the inmates’ safety is a priority.

The Hawk fire follows a series of three wildfires earlier this month north of Reno, which, fueled by dry and windy conditions, forced over 13,000 residents from their homes.

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