Tens of thousands in Nevada are evacuating as the Hawk Fire blazes in Reno, with over 15,000 acres burned as of Sunday evening.
Shane Akerson, an incident commander with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, said at a news conference three civilians were injured, as were three first responders.
Structures within the fire area have been destroyed, Akerson confirmed, with crews currently working to assess how many were affected.
Local officials say the fire was caused by human activity.
Gov. Joe Lombardo on Saturday night declared a state of emergency in Washoe County.
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“Please stay safe and follow the direction of local officials,” he said.
The Nevada National Guard said Lombardo approved one CH-47 Chinook, one UH-60 Black Hawk and 72 security personnel to assist with firefighting efforts.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said the wildfire is a “very dangerous situation that is evolving quickly.”
“I’m in touch with local officials to see what federal resources could be needed as first responders work around the clock to fight this fire,” she said.
About 90,000 residents are in evacuation zones.
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve urged people who have been told to evacuate not to wait.
“Structures have already been burned in this fire and your life is more important than a building,” she said. “Evacuating before the fire arrives also allows our firefighters to focus their efforts on battling the blaze.”
Patients at Northwest Specialty Hospital, an extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center, were evacuated and taken to locations “where their care will continue without interruption.”
Fire crews respond to a fast-moving wildfire that started on the dry hillsides outside of Reno Nevada, Aug.22, 2026. (William Hale Irwin/ SIPA USA) 
Fire crews respond to a fast-moving wildfire that started on the dry hillsides outside of Reno Nevada, Aug.22, 2026. (William Hale Irwin/ SIPA USA) 
Fire crews respond to a fast-moving wildfire that started on the dry hillsides outside of Reno Nevada, Aug.22, 2026. (William Hale Irwin/ SIPA USA) 
Fire crews respond to a fast-moving wildfire that started on the dry hillsides outside of Reno Nevada, Aug.22, 2026. (William Hale Irwin/ SIPA USA) 
Fire crews respond to a fast-moving wildfire that started on the dry hillsides outside of Reno Nevada, Aug.22, 2026. (William Hale Irwin/ SIPA USA) 
Fire crews respond to a fast-moving wildfire that started on the dry hillsides outside of Reno Nevada, Aug.22, 2026. (William Hale Irwin/ SIPA USA) 
Fire crews respond to a fast-moving wildfire that started on the dry hillsides outside of Reno Nevada, Aug.22, 2026. (William Hale Irwin/ SIPA USA)
“No patients or staff remain in the building,” Northern Nevada Medical Center said. “Families of affected patients were notified by our care teams, and we are continuing to work with emergency responders to safely close the facility. We will resume normal operations when the building is cleared and deemed safe for patients to return.”
Washoe County School District said all classes, events and activities at all of its schools, except Gerlach K-12 School, would be canceled Monday.
About 400 people from state, local and federal agencies are working on the Hawk fire, the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, which is based in Reno, said.
“The fire experienced significant growth throughout the day, fueled by strong, gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation,” Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District said.
The Hawk Fire comes during a historic wildfire season for much of the U.S., particularly in the West. On Sunday, the National Interagency Fire Center reported 11 total new large fires in the United States, with a total of 78 large fires being suppressed.
Currently, the United States’ Wildfire Preparedness Level is at a five out of five, meaning national resources are heavily committed to combatting blazes, which could lead to them becoming strained.
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