Hawk Fire Grows to 13,000 Acres, Forces 42,000 Evacuations Near Reno
The Hawk Fire, a fast-moving brush fire near Reno, Nevada, has rapidly expanded to over 13,000 acres as of Sunday, August 23, 2026. The fire, which began on Saturday, is threatening hundreds of homes and has already forced the evacuation of 42,000 residents, with an additional 45,000 warned to prepare for potential evacuation. The fire remains at zero percent containment and is being driven by strong winds, complicating firefighting efforts. Approximately 1,000 firefighters and first responders are actively battling the blaze. A state of emergency has been declared in Washoe County by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. The fire is moving toward heavily populated urban areas, and its cause has been preliminarily identified as human activity, though details remain unclear.