RENO, Nev. (AP) — The fast-growing Hawk Fire spread from the Sierra foothills into downtown Reno early Sunday, reaching more than 10,500 acres. Nearly 14,000 homes were ordered evacuated and the “GO NOW” zone reached the edge of the University of Nevada campus. Emergency officials in Washoe County, Nevada, opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Center to evacuees, but said they could not bring their pets: Small and large animals had to be dropped off at two other locations. Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard to support aerial firefighting with two helicopter crews and 60 soldiers to help police safeguard evacuated neighborhoods. The fire was so small Saturday morning that it wasn’t even a concern, said Tyler Duvall, who went camping over the weekend. The next day, his house was in the evacuation zone and he could not return. “The wind really blew it up,” Duvall said, adding that he knows of a few houses that burned down about a mile from his site. Strong, gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation are fueling its growth, according to Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue in Reno. “Approximately 400 personnel are currently working the incident, with resources coming from local, state and federal agencies, including ground crews and air resources,” the Truckee Meadows statement said. The fire area is surrounded by neighborhoods and nearly 10,000 homes and businesses were without power in Washoe County on Sunday. Parts of U.S. Route 395, a major north-south highway, were closed due to the fire. Reno has a population of more than 280,000. Reno casinos offered discounts on hotel rooms to evacuees. “If you have been told to evacuate, don’t wait!” Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said in a statement posted to social media Saturday night. “Structures have already burned in this fire and their life is more important than a building. Evacuating before the fire hits also allows our firefighters to focus their efforts on fighting the fire.” Retired police officer and firefighter Ted Melden has seen his share of Mother Nature’s fury since moving to Reno with his wife earlier this month from Chapin, South Carolina. So far, it has experienced a hail storm with flash flooding, two separate power outages, and now the second wildfire in the region in two weeks. “Just another natural disaster,” Melden said. Subscribe to Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the day’s biggest headlines. In the two years he lived in South Carolina, Melden said Hurricane Helene knocked down trees in his yard, while a tornado caused some damage in his neighborhood. For now, Melden has not been ordered to leave his home, but he has his bags packed just in case. “This started yesterday and it just continued,” Melden said, describing the fast-moving wildfire. “I hope they handle it well. You just have to go with the flow and be ready. Always be prepared and have a full tank of gas.” The University of Nevada Reno campus was just outside the evacuation zone Sunday morning. The university had an enrollment of about 24,000 students in fall 2025. University officials said they have established an emergency response plan in case conditions change. Reno-Tahoe International Airport was also outside the evacuation zone. Commercial flights at the airport were not affected on Sunday. The smaller Reno-Stead Airport was closed to general aviation traffic due to the Hawk Fire, but remained open to firefighting aircraft. Authorities were also monitoring a county detention center that was several blocks from the outer edge of the evacuation warning area. “We have those inmates in mind and are making sure we have plans in place in case we have to evacuate the facility,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said. Earlier this month, three wildfires fueled by hot, dry and windy conditions north of Reno forced more than 13,000 residents from their homes, according to the Nevada National Guard.___This story corrects location of Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue to Reno, not California.
