Hawk Fire forces 42,000 to evacuate as homes burn near Reno
Firefighters faced 40-mph gusts and unusual overnight fire behavior as another 45,000 residents prepared to evacuate.
The Hawk Fire has burned more than 10,500 acres near Reno, Nevada, as high winds, low humidity and dry brush fueled erratic fire behavior.
A fast-moving wildfire burning through neighborhoods northwest of Reno, Nevada, has forced 42,000 residents from their homes, injured six people and destroyed multiple structures.
The Hawk Fire has burned more than 13,000 acres, according to the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. More than 800 personnel are involved in the around-the-clock firefight, using ground crews and aircraft to slow the flames and protect communities.
Washoe County Sheriff's Office officials said some mandatory evacuations and road closures in the Somerset area were lifted on Monday.
The Hawk Fire seen burning on Aug. 23, 2026, from Reno, Nevada. (Image credit: Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District)
Another 45,000 residents were under “set” status, meaning they should be packed and ready to evacuate if conditions deteriorate.
Chief Richard Edwards of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District said firefighters encountered extreme conditions as wind gusts topped 40 mph.
“That allowed that fire to travel extremely quick and cover an area of almost 6 miles in less than 24 hours,” Edwards said.
Crews are also facing an unusually prolonged period of erratic fire behavior, according to Reno Fire Department Chief David Cochran.
“We’re getting that erratic fire behavior into the nighttime and into the early morning hours, which is unusual,” Cochran said. “And that’s what’s making it so hard to control and hard to contain.”
Firefighters pack their truck after responding to a burned building during the Hawk Fire on August 23, 2026 in Reno, Nevada. The wildfire spread from the Sierra foothills towards Reno, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Officials said the fire was human-caused. (Photo by Trevor Bexon/Getty Images)
Wildfires in Nevada typically become less active overnight as temperatures and winds decrease, allowing crews to make progress. Cochran said that pattern has not materialized during the Hawk Fire.
“The winds don’t drop, the temperature doesn’t drop, and you’re getting that erratic behavior,” Cochran said. “It just makes it hard to get your arms around a fire of this magnitude.”
The Reno Police Department said officers worked overnight to evacuate hundreds of people from areas threatened by the fire.
The fire started off Hawk Meadow Trail, about 1 mile north of Cold Creek Trail in the Somersett area northwest of Reno. Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Shane Akerson said that the fire was human-caused, but the circumstances surrounding its ignition remained under investigation.
Unlike wildfires burning primarily in remote forests or grasslands, the Hawk Fire has moved into urban areas where homes, businesses and infrastructure are in its path. Officials confirmed that structures, including homes, have burned, but a complete damage assessment was not immediately available.
Three civilians and three first responders have been injured.
Local residents look over a fence at the Hawk Fire burning on August 23, 2026 in Reno, Nevada. The wildfire spread from the Sierra foothills towards Reno, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Officials said the fire was human-caused. (Photo by Trevor Bexon/Getty Images)
Washoe County schools closed, thousands without power
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County as unpredictable weather, power outages and major road closures complicated evacuations and firefighting operations.
The West was at Preparedness Level 5, indicating firefighting resources were heavily committed across the region. However, Cochran said the Hawk Fire was receiving priority for resources in the Great Basin.
“This is the top priority in the Great Basin region for resources,” Cochran said. “So we are getting the resources we’re requesting.”
All classes, events and activities at Washoe County School District schools were canceled Monday, except at Gerlach K-12 School. District officials said the closures were needed because of widespread evacuations, demands on regional public safety resources and the need to keep roads open for emergency vehicles.
Thousands of homes and businesses also lost electricity. PowerOutage.us reported more than 11,000 outages across Nevada, including nearly 10,000 in Washoe County.
Firefighters spray water onto a burned storage unit building caused by the Hawk Fire on August 23, 2026 in Reno, Nevada. The wildfire spread from the Sierra foothills towards Reno, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Officials said the fire was human-caused. (Photo by Trevor Bexon/Getty Images)
“We have a lot of work ahead of us to put our community back together, and we are working non-stop to make the repairs needed to get the power back on as quickly and safely as possible,” NV Energy said. “But our hearts go out to those who have lost so much.”
Wind, high temperatures could drive fire activity this week
Weather conditions could continue to challenge firefighters, according to AccuWeather experts. The forecast called for a high near 92 degrees Monday with breezy conditions developing during the afternoon. Air quality was rated poor because of wildfire smoke, posing a health concern for sensitive groups.
Breezy conditions are forecast to persist through much of the week, potentially making containment efforts more difficult and spreading smoke across the Reno area.
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