Hawk Fire nears Reno, Nevada, with thousands ordered to evacuate

Key Points:

• The Hawk Fire rapidly expanded to over 10,500 acres near Reno, Nevada, prompting evacuation orders for nearly 14,000 homes and reaching the edge of the University of Nevada campus.
• Washoe County officials opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for evacuees but directed pet owners to separate animal shelters; a state of emergency was declared, and the Nevada National Guard was mobilized to assist firefighting and security efforts.
• The fire, fueled by strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, caused power outages affecting nearly 10,000 homes and businesses, and led to partial closures of U.S. Route 395, a major highway.
• Local casinos offered hotel discounts to evacuees, while officials urged residents to evacuate promptly to ensure safety and allow firefighters to focus on containment.
• The University of Nevada-Reno and Reno-Tahoe International Airport remained outside the evacuation zone, with contingency plans in place for potential changes in fire conditions.