Thousands remain under evacuation orders in and around Reno, Nevada, as crews battle a large wildfire that has destroyed dozens of structures and injured multiple people.
The Hawk Fire has consumed more than 15,000 acres, about 23 square miles, northwest of downtown Reno, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The blaze was 27% contained as of Tuesday, Aug. 25.
The wildfire, which erupted on Aug. 22, prompted officials to place about 90,000 under evacuation orders and warnings as strong winds fueled the fire's explosive growth. Local officials opened shelters for evacuees as crews closed roads and shuttered local schools.
At least seven people were injured in the fire, including four civilians and three first responders, according to
Richard Edwards, chief of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. The blaze has destroyed 32 homes and damaged six others.
"We expect those numbers to increase as damage assessment teams are still out in the field assessing other areas right now," Edwards said.
Officials said the fire was human-caused but the source of the ignition remains under investigation.
The fire erupted as much of the western U.S. faced abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Fire officials said the combination of dry brush and strong winds fueled the blaze's rapid growth.
The Hawk Fire was one of 200 new wildfires reported across the nation Aug. 22 as large wildfires were reported in 18 states, according to the interagency fire center's daily situation report.
In an outlook, the fire center said crews don't anticipate further growth "unless the fire is impacted by outflow winds." Expected thunderstorms could help contain the blaze, though lightning strikes could ignite new fires, according to the interagency fire center.
Timelapse shows fire's explosive growth
Where is the Hawk Fire? See map.
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Timelapse shows stunning growth of Hawk Fire near Reno, Nevada
