A rapidly expanding wildfire moved from the Sierra foothills toward Reno’s center early Sunday, leading to the evacuation of nearly 14,000 homes. Dubbed the Hawk Fire, it grew to over 10,500 acres, reaching the perimeter of the University of Nevada campus. As of Sunday morning, containment efforts were unsuccessful, with the blaze at 0% containment.

Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County. He mobilized the Nevada National Guard to assist with aerial firefighting efforts using two helicopter crews and deployed 60 troops to support police in securing evacuated neighborhoods. Lombardo urged affected residents to remain alert and heed the instructions of local officials. He emphasized the state’s commitment to utilizing every available resource to protect lives and communities.

The Hawk Fire originated on Saturday and expanded considerably due to strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation. Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue offered assistance from across the California state line. Richard Edwards, the agency’s chief, highlighted the fire’s rapid wind-driven movement into residential areas, posing significant hurdles to firefighters working to safeguard homes.

Approximately 10,000 homes and businesses experienced power outages on Sunday. Portions of U.S. Route 395 were closed due to the fire. Reno’s Mayor Hillary Schieve reinforced evacuation orders on social media, stressing the importance of prioritizing personal safety over property. She noted that timely evacuations allow firefighters to concentrate efforts on combating the blaze.

Washoe County emergency officials set up the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for evacuees, although pets were not permitted. Alternative locations were provided for small and large animals. Earlier in August, three wildfires north of Reno also prompted evacuations of over 13,000 residents due to hot, dry, and windy conditions.