Hawk Fire: Crews Gain Ground as Thousands Evacuate Reno Area
Firefighters Make Progress on Hawk Fire Near Reno, Nevada
What Happened?
A big wildfire called the Hawk Fire started on Saturday, August 22, 2026, just northwest of Reno, Nevada. The fire moved very fast because of strong winds, burning about 15,000 acres (that’s like 11,000 football fields!) and threatening homes and neighborhoods.
Good news: By Monday afternoon, firefighters had the fire 27% contained. This means they’ve built control lines around about a quarter of the fire’s edge to stop it from spreading further.
Where Is This Happening?
- Location: Reno, Nevada — a city of about 280,000 people
- Distance: About 350 miles northwest of Las Vegas
- County: Washoe County (population ~500,000)
- Near: Nevada-California state line and Lake Tahoe area
How Did the Fire Grow So Fast?
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Wind | Gusts over 40 miles per hour |
| Speed | Fire traveled almost 6 miles in less than 24 hours |
| Fuel | Dry grass and thick brush |
| Terrain | Burning down hillsides toward neighborhoods |
Think of it like this: Imagine a campfire on a windy day — the flames jump and spread much faster than on a calm day. That’s what happened here, but on a massive scale.
Evacuation Updates — What You Need to Know
Officials use a color-coded system to tell people what to do:
Red — "Evacuate NOW" (Immediate Danger)
- ~23,000 people in this zone
- Leave immediately, don’t wait
Yellow — "Get SET to Evacuate" (Be Ready)
- ~40,000 people in this zone
- Pack bags, gather pets, know your route, stay alert
Green — "Stay Aware" (Monitor Situation)
- Some areas (like Somersett) were downgraded from Red to Yellow on Monday
- Road closures lifted, but stay prepared
IMPORTANT: Even if your area is downgraded, conditions can change fast with the wind. Keep your phone charged and listen to local alerts.
Damage So Far
| What | Numbers (as of Monday afternoon) |
|---|---|
| Homes destroyed | 32 |
| Homes damaged | 6 |
| Other structures | Businesses & more homes damaged (exact count rising) |
| People evacuated total | ~87,000 over the weekend |
| Injuries | 7 total (4 civilians, 3 firefighters — all minor) |
| Power outages | ~9,600 customers without electricity |
Hospitals & Schools Affected
- 2 medical centers evacuated patients:
- Northwest Specialty Hospital (rehab & behavioral health)
- North Valleys ER (extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center)
- All Washoe County schools canceled classes Monday
- University of Nevada, Reno: Campus safe for now, but evacuation plan ready
Who’s Fighting the Fire?
Team Effort — "All Hands on Deck"
- Local firefighters (Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District)
- Nevada National Guard (activated by Governor)
- Air support: Airtankers dropping water/fire retardant from planes
- California crews monitoring near state line (Gov. Newsom coordinating)
- Red Cross running shelters
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve: "It’s just been all hands on deck. Everyone has been working together with ‘what do you need? What do you need?’"
Shelter Life — Real Stories
Over 100 displaced people are staying at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino shelter:
- Cots lined wall-to-wall on the convention floor
- Medical volunteers on-site for care
- Families with young children and pets seeking safety
- Red Cross providing food, water, and comfort
Voices from the Fire
| Person | Experience |
|---|---|
| Cari Kieffer | Rushed home from son’s football game, grabbed dogs & few belongings. "Flames just kept getting closer and closer… Everything we own is gone." Only a scorched basketball hoop left standing. |
| Tyler Duvall | Went camping, wasn’t worried Saturday morning. By Sunday, his house was in the evacuation zone. "The wind really blew it up." |
| David Barb | Lost taxidermy shop, but house saved by landscapers who cut a fire break (cleared vegetation to stop fire). "Devastated, but thank God everyone’s safe." |
| Wesley Ong | Sifting through charred remains Monday, found parts of a pistol but fears firearms & fishing gear melted. |
What’s Next? (Weather Watch)
| Day | Forecast | Fire Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Breezy | Moderate-to-high intensity runs in dense brush |
| Tuesday | Continued winds | Active fire behavior expected |
| Wednesday | Winds may ease | Conditions improving? |
Stay Updated: Download the CNN Weather app or follow Washoe County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook for real-time alerts.
Emergency Checklist — Be Ready in 5 Steps
- Pack a "Go Bag" — Medications, important docs, phone charger, cash, clothes for 3 days
- Prep Pets — Carriers, leashes, food, vet records
- Know 2 Exit Routes — Roads may close suddenly
- Sign Up for Alerts — Washoe County CodeRED or local emergency notifications
- Designate Meeting Spot — In case family gets separated
Seeing the Damage from Space
Satellite images show the dramatic change:
- Before (Aug 18): Green hillsides
- After (Aug 23): Burn scars and smoke plumes visible from orbit
Summary
- Hawk Fire started Saturday near Reno, burned ~15,000 acres
- 27% contained as of Monday — progress, but not over yet
- ~87,000 people told to evacuate at peak; ~23K still in "Go Now" zone
- 32 homes destroyed, more damage expected
- Human-caused (exact cause undetermined — accidental or intentional unclear)
- High winds (40+ mph) drove rapid spread; winds continue through Wednesday
- Multi-state, multi-agency response including National Guard & air support
- Shelters open at Grand Sierra Resort; Red Cross helping displaced families
- Schools closed Monday; hospitals evacuated patients as precaution
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does "27% contained" actually mean?
It means firefighters have built control lines (cleared dirt paths, used roads/rivers, or burned fuel ahead of the fire) around 27% of the fire’s perimeter. The fire could still cross those lines if winds pick up, but it’s a measure of progress.
2. Can I go home if my area was downgraded from Red to Yellow?
Not yet. Yellow means "be ready to leave at a moment’s notice." Officials will announce when it’s safe to return. Check Washoe County Sheriff’s Office updates before heading back.
3. How do I find out if my specific address is in an evacuation zone?
- Visit Washoe County’s evacuation map (linked on their website/Facebook)
- Sign up for CodeRED alerts by phone/text/email
- Call 311 (or local non-emergency number) for help
4. What if I lost my home — where do I get help?
- Red Cross at Grand Sierra Resort shelter: food, shelter, emotional support
- FEMA assistance may be available after emergency declaration
- Local nonprofits and community groups organizing donations
- Document damage with photos/video for insurance
5. Is the fire completely out?
No. Firefighters expect active burning through Wednesday in areas with thick grass/brush. Full containment could take days or weeks depending on weather.
Final Thought
Wildfires are scary and disruptive, but communities come together in amazing ways. Firefighters, neighbors, volunteers, and officials are working around the clock. If you’re in the area — stay informed, stay ready, and look out for each other.
Source: CNN reporting from Reno, Nevada (Updated Aug 24, 2026)