Hawk Fire Surpasses 10,000 Acres, Triggering State of Emergency and Cross-Border Evacuations

Key points

• The fire started at 11:30 a.m. on August 22, 2026, near Cold Creek Trail and grew to 10,522 acres by August 23.
• Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, directing state agencies to support local efforts.
• Mandatory evacuations include Somersett, Verdi, and parts of Golden Valley and Lemmon Valley; warnings extend to Stead and Sierra County, California.
• Over 48,700 NV Energy customers lost power, with 14,800 in the Truckee area affected by emergency de-energization.
• Evacuation centers are open at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center and Evelyn Mount Community Center; hotels offer $59 nightly rates for evacuees.

Background

This incident follows recent wildfire activity in the region, including the Bug Fire, which had burned 17,000 acres by August 10, 2026, and the Old Trails Fire in Spokane, which reached 2,500 acres in early August. The Hawk Fire’s rapid growth mirrors previous patterns of wind-driven expansion in dry conditions, as seen in the Feliz Fire near Hopland.

How outlets are covering it

2 News Nevada initially reported the fire at 2,500 acres with 1,000 homes threatened, while KCRA later confirmed 10,500+ acres burned and 14,800 power outages. The Reno Gazette Journal detailed the expansion of evacuations into Somersett and the declaration of a state of emergency, noting structures were lost but not specifying numbers. KRXI2 provided no specific details on the Hawk Fire, focusing instead on other local news, indicating a lack of coverage or access to the story at the time of reporting.

Why it matters

The Hawk Fire’s rapid expansion and cross-border impact highlight the vulnerability of the Reno-Sparks area to wildfire, exacerbated by dry conditions and gusty winds. The state of emergency and widespread evacuations underscore the strain on local resources and the need for coordinated response efforts across state lines.

What to watch

Crews will continue working overnight to contain the fire, with additional resources requested from Cal Fire. Residents should monitor perimetermap.com for updated evacuation zones and road closures. Power restoration efforts are underway, and evacuation centers will remain open as needed.