Hawk Fire Forces Thousands to Evacuate in Reno, Nevada

Smoke can be seen in the distance as a wildfire rages in Reno, Nevada on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Approximately 42,000 residents have been evacuated, while an additional 45,000 have been instructed to prepare for possible evacuation due to a rapidly expanding fire threatening the northern part of the city.

Known as the Hawk Fire, the blaze has expanded over 15,000 acres since its inception on Saturday in the Sierra Nevada foothills, as reported by the National Interagency Fire Center’s Inciweb.

“We can confirm that the fire was human caused,” stated Shane Akerson, a battalion chief with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and one of the incident commanders for the Hawk Fire. “However, that is still undergoing active investigation.”

Currently, six individuals—three first responders and three civilians—have sustained injuries, with several properties destroyed. Around 800 emergency responders are actively working to control the fire.

The area under “go now” evacuation orders reached the University of Nevada by Sunday. Officials cautioned evacuees to expect an extended stay away from home due to erratic winds complicating containment efforts.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has activated the National Guard and declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, including Reno and areas surrounding Lake Tahoe, to access federal resources for firefighting.

“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,” Governor Lombardo emphasized in a social media statement.

As the wildfire advances into urban neighborhoods, authorities advise tens of thousands in “be ready to evacuate” zones to stay informed and keep “go bags” prepared for immediate departure.

Sheriff Darin Balaam of Washoe County has encouraged residents to monitor the Watch Duty app, which offers real-time updates on nearby wildfires and natural disasters.

“If you can get out now, I would ask you please to do that,” Balaam urged, noting it would assist firefighters and first responders significantly.

Evacuees are being accommodated at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, where hundreds spent Saturday night, according to local NPR station KUNR.

The Hawk Fire was first detected shortly after 11 a.m. Pacific Time on Saturday. “Red flag” conditions, characterized by high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, contributed to the fire’s rapid progression, according to Richard Edwards, Chief of Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue.

“The Hawk Fire is a very dynamic incident for us, as it’s being driven by the winds,” Edwards shared in a video message.

Balaam highlighted that the Hawk Fire marks the third significant wildfire in northern Nevada recently. The Bug Fire, starting on August 8 just north of the Hawk Fire, has already scorched roughly 94,000 acres and is near 94% containment. Meanwhile, the Stallion Fire, igniting two days later, is 98% contained after burning over 40,000 acres.

This year, over 7.7 million acres have burned across the U.S., the most extensive year-to-date damage in a decade, per National Interagency Fire Center statistics. Firefighters are now tackling 79 large fires in 18 states.