Wind-fueled wildfire sparks mass evacuations in Nevada of USA
Photo: Reuters.
A fierce, wind-driven wildfire has forced a massive evacuation over the weekend near Reno, Nevada, as flames swept through residential areas and destroyed an unknown number of homes. At least six people have been injured, including three first responders and three civilians, according to local authorities.
The blaze, dubbed the Hawk Fire, ignited Saturday morning near Hawk Meadow Trail and raced across the Peavine Peak area northwest of the city. By Sunday, it had consumed an estimated 13,000 to 15,000 acres, with officials warning that shifting conditions made the fire highly unpredictable.
In response, authorities expanded the mandatory "GO NOW" evacuation zone to include roughly 90,000 residents. Specifically, about 42,000 people were ordered to evacuate, while another 45,000 were told to remain on standby and prepare to leave immediately if needed. The evacuation perimeter extended all the way to the edge of the University of Nevada campus in northwest Reno—a city of over 280,000 people located near the California state line.
While officials have confirmed that the fire was human-caused, they have not yet released further details about its origin. The full extent of property damage remains unclear as firefighting efforts continue.
Reuters adds: Local TV footage showed flames approaching roads. In eyewitness video verified by Reuters, smoke from the hills billowed over nearby residential neighborhoods.
Fire-tracking websites showed evacuation zones extending from the Sierra Nevada hills to the University of Nevada in northwest Reno.
The fire has burned 13,000 acres (5,261 hectares) so far, officials said at a press conference on Sunday. The fire was human-caused and remains under investigation, they said.
Three civilians and three first responders have been injured, said Shane Akerson, a commander leading fire and rescue operations.
Officials first received reports of a fire off Hawk Meadow Trail at about 11:15 a.m. PDT (1815 GMT) on Saturday, said Richard Edwards, chief of Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Firefighters on Saturday worked amid "extreme red flag conditions," he said.
Red flag conditions are a combination of warm temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds that raise the risk of wildfires.
"We expect those same strong conditions to come back this afternoon," Edwards said on Sunday.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency late Saturday in Washoe County, which includes Reno and parts of Lake Tahoe.
“This is an active and rapidly evolving situation, and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the direction of local officials,” Lombardo said in a statement.
Lombardo authorized the deployment of two National Guard helicopters to help fight fires and 60 National Guard personnel to support operations with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, officials said.
The Reno-Tahoe International Airport remained outside the evacuation area, and commercial flights were operating normally on Sunday.
(Source: Reuters and DW)
