Reno’s Boom Faces Fire Risk as Wildfires Encroach on the Suburbs

Reno’s population surge into fire-prone hillside neighborhoods—driven by affordable housing and tech growth—has heightened wildfire risk, as the Hawk Fire burned thousands of acres, destroyed dozens of homes, and forced tens of thousands to evacuate; with winds, dry fuels, and the expanding wildland-urban interface, officials warn that climate-driven dryness will require tougher planning and building standards to protect growing communities.