Hawk fire forces 90,000 to evacuate near Reno, Nevada

The Hawk Fire near the California-Nevada border has forced roughly 90,000 people in northwest Reno to evacuate or prepare to leave, destroyed dozens of homes, and closed portions of U.S. Route 395 as shifting winds drove extreme fire behavior through the Peavine Peak area—developments closely watched ahead of burning man 2026.

The human-caused blaze began Saturday, August 22, 2026, and spread rapidly across rugged foothills in the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest, where homes and businesses ring the terrain near the state line. By Sunday, officials reported zero containment on a fire that had grown to more than 23 square miles.

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam urged residents who could leave to do so immediately. "Please get out if you can right now," he said as the mandatory "GO NOW" evacuation zone expanded to the edge of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Key Takeaways

• About 42,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders and another 45,000 were in warning zones as of Sunday, according to AP News reporting.
• KTVN reported the fire destroyed 47 homes and damaged 14 more, including properties in Stead's Peppermint Drive area in the North Valleys.
• Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency and mobilized Nevada National Guard crews to support aerial firefighting and neighborhood security.
• Portions of U.S. Route 395 closed, power outages affected thousands, and community fundraisers launched to help displaced families.
• Officials warned that strengthening winds could keep the fire unpredictable for days, so evacuated residents should plan to stay away.

How large is the Hawk Fire and where is it burning?

The Hawk Fire is burning in the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest northwest of Reno, Nevada, close to the California border. AP News reported that the fire covered more than 23 square miles (60 square kilometers) on Sunday with zero containment.

Fire crews observed extreme behavior as gusts pushed flames through dry brush. An evening update warned the blaze could continue moderate to high-intensity runs through dense fuels over the following 12 hours.

Months of dry weather and a record lack of snow across the American West have left the region primed for fast-spreading wildfires. Nevada alone saw 15 new fires pop up on Saturday, AP reported.

Who must evacuate and where are shelters open?

Authorities ordered about 42,000 people to evacuate immediately as the "GO NOW" zone grew toward the University of Nevada, Reno, where many of the school's roughly 20,000 undergraduates had moved into housing that weekend. An additional 45,000 residents sat in adjacent warning zones, told to be ready to leave on short notice.

Washoe County opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for evacuees, though pets were not permitted there. Small and large animals were directed to separate locations. Casinos in Reno offered discounted hotel rooms to people forced from their homes.

Two hospitals evacuated patients, and the sheriff's office monitored whether to evacuate the county jail. Sheriff Balaam described Saturday night as chaotic, with flames jumping fire trucks and winds sending the fire in different directions.

How many homes has the Hawk Fire destroyed?

Early official counts varied as crews continued assessments. AP News reported Sunday that the number of destroyed homes was not yet known, though residents confirmed losses across northwest Reno and Peavine Mountain.

KTVN later reported more specific damage figures: 47 homes destroyed and 14 damaged. Some of the worst-hit properties were on Peppermint Drive in Stead, where neighbors returned to find burn scars just yards from houses still standing.

Cari Kieffer told AP her family lost their home after an app tracking the fire lagged behind its actual spread. Rick Arrate, who lived alone on Peavine Mountain, escaped with only his two golden retrievers after winds shifted and flames overran the ridge in about 30 minutes, his granddaughter Jaida Hargrove said.

What help is available for victims and displaced workers?

Community response moved quickly. Separate GoFundMe campaigns were launched for families including the Kieffers and Arrate, AP reported. KTVN noted a fund drive from noon to 7 p.m. at the west parking lot of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, with cash and checks payable to Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada and online credit-card donations accepted.

Neighbors who kept their homes offered direct support. Jennifer Bryant of Stead told KTVN her family had food, power, spare rooms, and space for animals, inviting affected residents to Honeysuckle Court for help or simply a hug.

For readers tracking how emergencies reshape household finances and community safety nets, our Wealth Hacks & Passive Income hub covers practical ways to build resilience when sudden disasters disrupt work, housing, and travel plans.

What did officials say about injuries, cause, and road closures?

At least six people were injured—three first responders and three civilians—according to AP News. Officials classified the fire as human-caused but did not say whether it was intentional or accidental.

Nearly 10,000 customers remained without power in Washoe County on Sunday, down from about 60,000 on Saturday. Portions of U.S. Route 395, a major north-south highway through the region, were closed because of the fire.

Governor Lombardo mobilized two National Guard helicopter crews and 60 troops to safeguard evacuated neighborhoods while roughly 800 fire personnel battled the blaze. For official evacuation maps and live updates, consult AP News coverage and local Washoe County emergency channels.

Why does the Hawk Fire matter beyond Reno?

Reno is Nevada's largest city outside the Las Vegas metro area, with more than 280,000 residents. A fast-moving fire at the California-Nevada border threatens regional transportation, tourism, and supply chains at a moment when late-summer travel through Northern Nevada is typically heavy.

Business owners also faced sudden losses. David Barb returned from a hunting trip to find the fire had leveled his taxidermy shop, though landscaping workers cutting a fire break helped save his nearby house, he told AP.

Residents just outside evacuation lines kept bags packed. Ted Melden, a retired officer who had moved to Reno from South Carolina earlier in August, said he had already weathered hail, flooding, power outages, and a prior wildfire scare in two weeks. "You just have to roll with the flow and be ready," he said.

Authorities asked evacuees to prepare to stay away for several days. Until containment improves and winds settle, the Hawk Fire remains a high-stakes test of how border communities protect lives, homes, and the regional economy.