32 Homes Lost to Hawk Fire as Containment Hits 27%
Hawk Fire in Reno: What You Need to Know (Simple Guide)
Location: Reno, Nevada
Last Updated: August 24, 2026
Fire Name: Hawk Fire
What Happened?
A wildfire called the Hawk Fire started burning near Hawk Meadow Trail in Reno, Nevada. It has grown to about 15,000 acres (that’s roughly 11,000 football fields!). Firefighters have been working hard to stop it, and there’s some good news: the fire is now 27% contained.
Important Numbers at a Glance
| What | Number |
|---|---|
| Fire Size | ~15,000 acres |
| Containment | 27% |
| Homes Destroyed | 32 |
| Homes Damaged | 6 |
| People Under Evacuation Order | 23,000 |
| People Under "Get Set" Warning | 43,000 |
| Power Poles Damaged | 100 |
| People Without Power (North Valleys) | ~10,000 |
| Injured Civilians | 4 |
| Injured Firefighters | 3 (minor burns) |
| Deaths | 0 |
Good News Updates
- Containment jumped from 0% to 27% — most progress is on the southern side of the fire
- Some evacuation orders have been downgraded — areas on the south side are now on "Get Set" (yellow) status instead of "Go Now" (red)
- Power and gas restored in northwest Reno
- No lives lost — zero fatalities reported
What’s Still Happening
IMPORTANT CALL OUT
Conditions are still dangerous. Hot, dry, and windy weather is expected for the next 48 hours. The fire could still grow, especially to the northeast and northwest.
No timeline yet for when evacuated residents can return home.
Where Is the Fire Burning?
- Main area: Hawk Meadow Trail
- Firefighters are trying to keep it:
- East of Dog Valley Road
- South of U.S. Highway 395
- Special concern: A natural gas line runs through the fire zone near Somersett
Evacuation Status Explained (ELI5)
Think of it like a traffic light:
| Color | Status | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Red | GO NOW | Leave immediately — danger is close |
| Yellow | GET SET | Pack your bags, be ready to leave at a moment’s notice |
| Green | READY | Stay informed, but no immediate action needed |
Right now: Some southern areas moved from Red → Yellow.
Check the map: Perimeter Map for your exact address.
Power Situation
- Restored: Northwest Reno
- Still Out: North Valleys (~10,000 customers)
- Cause: 100 power poles damaged by fire
- Fixing it: NV Energy is working on repairs
What Caused the Fire?
Official Answer: "Unknown — and will probably stay undetermined."
Investigators may never know exactly what sparked it. Common causes (not confirmed here) include:
- Lightning
- Human activity (campfires, sparks from equipment)
- Power lines
What Are Firefighters Doing?
- Holding containment lines — they’ve built barriers (dirt lines, roads, rivers) to stop the fire spreading
- Protecting the gas line near Somersett
- Patrolling the southern edge where containment is best
- Preparing for wind shifts — fire could push northeast or northwest
- Assessing damage — counting homes, checking infrastructure
How to Stay Safe & Informed
Do These Things:
- Check the evacuation map daily — Perimeter Map
- Sign up for local alerts — CodeRED, Nixle, or your county’s system
- Pack a "go bag" — meds, documents, chargers, pet supplies, clothes
- Follow official sources — KOLO, BLM Nevada, Washoe County Sheriff
- Stay indoors if air is smoky — use air purifiers, avoid exercise outside
Don’t Do These Things:
- Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe
- Don’t fly drones near the fire (grounds firefighting aircraft!)
- Don’t block roads — firefighters need access
- Don’t spread rumors — share only verified info
Summary
The Hawk Fire has burned ~15,000 acres near Reno, destroying 32 homes and damaging 6 more. 27% is now contained, mostly on the south side. 23,000 people are under evacuation orders, 43,000 more on "Get Set" alert. No one has died, but 7 people (4 civilians, 3 firefighters) were injured. Power is out for ~10,000 in North Valleys due to 100 damaged poles. The cause is unknown. Hot, dry, windy weather continues for 48 hours, so the fire could still grow. Some southern evacuations have been downgraded — check the map to see if your area changed.
FAQ
Q: Can I go home if my area turned yellow ("Get Set")?
A: No. Yellow means "be ready to leave," not "it’s safe to return." Only go back when officials change your zone to green or lift the order completely.
Q: Why is containment only 27% if they’ve been fighting it for days?
A: Wildfires in dry, windy conditions with lots of fuel (dry trees, brush) are incredibly hard to control. 27% in this terrain is actually meaningful progress — it means the southern flank is largely secured.
Q: My power is out. When will it come back?
A: NV Energy hasn’t given a timeline. They must replace 100 poles, which takes time — especially in active fire zones where crews can’t work safely yet.
Q: Is the air safe to breathe?
A: Likely not in smoky areas. Check AirNow.gov for your ZIP code. Stay inside, run air filters, wear N95 masks if you must go out.
Q: How can I help?
A:
- Donate money (not goods) to Red Cross or local relief funds
- Volunteer through official channels (not self-deploying)
- Offer housing to evacuees via trusted platforms
- Share verified info only — panic spreads faster than fire
Official Links to Bookmark
- Evacuation Map: perimetermap.com
- KOLO News Updates: kolotv.com
- BLM Nevada Fire Info: blm.gov/nevada
- NV Energy Outages: nvenergy.com/outages
- Air Quality: airnow.gov
Stay safe, stay informed, and listen to local officials. Fires move fast — your life matters more than your stuff.
Information compiled from KOLO News reports and official fire updates as of August 24, 2026.