Hawk Fire reaches 27% containment, destroys 32 homes near Reno

Key points

• The Hawk Fire is 27% contained, with most progress made on the southern perimeter.
• Thirty-two homes were destroyed and six damaged; no deaths have been reported.
• Seven individuals, including three firefighters, sustained minor burns during the initial attack.
• 23,000 people remain under evacuation orders, and 43,000 are under 'get set' warnings.
• Approximately 10,000 residents in the North Valleys area remain without power due to damaged infrastructure.

Background

The Hawk Fire began around 11:20 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, northwest of Reno, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It is part of a broader pattern of significant wildfires in the region, including the Bug Fire northwest of Cold Springs, which was 20% contained in early August. The current blaze has prompted a state of emergency declaration by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and the activation of the state National Guard.

How outlets are covering it

KOLO reports that the fire is 27% contained and has destroyed 32 homes, with no fatalities. KCRA notes that the fire started on Saturday and has injured at least six people, including three firefighters, while prompting evacuation warnings in Sierra County, California. KRXI confirms the 27% containment figure and the fire's location near Peavine Mountain. CNN's content was inaccessible due to a technical error, but its headline indicates the Nevada governor declared an emergency. Reno Fire Chief David Cochran, cited by KCRA, believes the fire was human-caused but not intentionally set, while KOLO states the exact cause remains unknown.

Why it matters

The Hawk Fire represents a significant threat to the Reno area, with tens of thousands of residents under evacuation orders and widespread power outages. The fire's rapid spread and high intensity, driven by hot, dry, and breezy conditions, pose ongoing risks to infrastructure and safety. The declaration of a state of emergency and the activation of the National Guard underscore the severity of the situation and the need for coordinated response efforts.

What to watch

Fire officials expect moderate to high-intensity fire runs in pockets of dense fuels over the next 48 hours, with conditions remaining dynamic. There is no specific timeline for when evacuation areas will reopen. Crews are working to keep the fire east of Dog Valley Road and south of U.S. 395, while also managing a natural gas line within the fire area near Somersett. Power restoration efforts are ongoing, with some areas in northwest Reno already restored.