Photo: Shutterstock Firefighters are making progress against the Hawk Fire near Reno, Nevada, after the fast-moving wildfire burned approximately 15,000 acres and destroyed 32 homes and damaged another 6. Tens of thousands of residents were placed under evacuation orders or warnings as the blaze spread rapidly across the North Valleys.
The fire began on Saturday, August 22, near Hawk Meadow Trail, approximately one mile north of Cold Creek Trail in the Somersett area, northwest of Reno. The fire has been classified as human-caused and spread through grass and brush.
More than 400 personnel have been involved in the response, supported by state, local and federal agencies and aerial resources.
California has sent additional resources through a state-to-state mutual aid agreement. CAL FIRE has deployed more than 100 ground personnel to Nevada, while four night-vision helicopters have delivered more than 200,000 gallons of water during firefighting operations.
CAL FIRE's McClellan Airtanker Reload Base has also supported the operation by serving as a refueling location for several large and very large airtankers assisting crews on the ground.
There has been some improvement for residents and travelers. US 395 is now open to northbound and southbound traffic, with on-ramps and off-ramps reopening. The exception is access to North Virginia Street between Panther Drive and Village Parkway, which remains closed.
Several evacuation zones east of US 395 have also been downgraded from red “Evacuate Now” to yellow “Get Set to Evacuate.” These include White Lake, Granite Hills, Granite Peak, North Valleys Regional Park and the Alice Smith Elementary School area.
However, neighborhoods near Sierra Sage Golf Course, Silver Lake Road and Moya Boulevard remain under red evacuation orders.
Earlier in the incident, approximately 90,000 residents were within “GET-SET” or “GO-NOW” evacuation zones.
The situation remains dynamic, with weather conditions capable of supporting further fire growth. Temperatures are forecast to reach around 84 to 86°F, with low humidity and winds that could produce gusts of 15 to 20 mph.
Firefighters are working to keep the fire south of Cold Springs and north of Somersett, while heavy equipment is being used to create fire breaks and remove vegetation.