RENO, NEVADA / RankWire.AI / – The Hawk Fire near Reno has destroyed 47 homes and one commercial building, while firefighters raised containment to 85% late Tuesday. The wildfire covered 15,067 acres after racing through dry terrain northwest of the city since Saturday. Eight additional homes sustained serious damage in the latest completed assessment. No deaths have occurred, while seven people suffered injuries during the fire response. The updated damage count rose significantly from earlier assessments. Crews also held the fire’s overall footprint steady as containment increased.
Washoe County assessment teams finished their initial survey of neighborhoods affected by the fire on Tuesday. Damage was mainly concentrated west of U.S. Highway 395, with fewer properties impacted on the eastern side. Authorities reported that canine search teams checked affected areas and found no signs of victims. Fire officials noted the blaze traveled approximately six miles during its first 24 hours. The rapid spread led to large-scale evacuations across communities north and northwest of Reno. Damage assessment teams continued documenting losses as residents received updates on affected properties.
On Tuesday, authorities allowed around 9,300 residents east of U.S. 395 to return home as conditions improved. About 5,000 people remained under evacuation orders during the afternoon briefing. Some neighborhoods transitioned from mandatory evacuation to lower alert levels as crews worked to secure containment lines. Road access also improved after closures had disrupted travel in the northern Reno area. Returning residents faced damaged utilities, debris, and lingering hot spots near affected properties. Officials continued to direct residents to current evacuation updates before they entered restricted zones.
Containment efforts increase, easing evacuations
Firefighters maintained the Hawk Fire at 15,067 acres while expanding containment around its perimeter. The number of personnel assigned to the fire dropped to 586 late Tuesday as containment grew. Crews continued to check hot spots, reinforce fire lines, and work around damaged neighborhoods. Earlier, the response involved hundreds of firefighters, engines, helicopters, and other resources from multiple U.S. states, along with personnel from Australia and New Zealand. The primary focus was on strengthening existing containment lines and reducing remaining heat inside the burned area.
Officials have determined that the Hawk Fire was human-caused, and investigations are ongoing to establish how it started. They have not announced whether the ignition was accidental or deliberate. The fire originated Saturday near the Somersett area and spread rapidly through dry vegetation. Strong winds pushed flames toward populated parts of northwest Reno on the first day. Firefighters later gained more control as weather conditions allowed them to strengthen containment around the perimeter. No additional details about the cause of the fire have been released.
State assistance bolsters firefighting operations
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County during the weekend. This declaration directed state agencies to aid local efforts through Nevada’s emergency management system. It also facilitated coordination for firefighting, public safety, and recovery efforts in communities affected by the Hawk Fire. State resources supported local teams as evacuation zones expanded and thousands of residents evacuated their homes. The emergency declaration remains in effect through August 29 unless terminated earlier by authorities. Emergency operations continue to assist local agencies with evacuations, public information dissemination, and community support.
During its progression through the Reno area, the Hawk Fire damaged power infrastructure, including approximately 100 wooden utility poles. Utility crews worked to restore services as residents began returning to neighborhoods that had been opened for reentry. Firefighters also maintained patrols, conducted damage assessments, and safety inspections around the fire perimeter late Tuesday. Authorities continued updating evacuation zones as restrictions shifted across the affected region. The confirmed damage included 47 homes destroyed, eight homes seriously damaged, and one commercial building lost. With containment at 85%, crews remained engaged in suppression and safety efforts across the fire zone.