Reno Mayor Urges Evacuation as Hawk Fire Grows

The fast-growing Hawk Fire spread from the Sierra foothills toward the center of Reno, Nevada, on Sunday, March 17, 2024, expanding to over 10,500 acres. The wildfire prompted evacuation orders for nearly 14,000 homes, with the "G0 NOW" evacuation zone reaching the edge of the University of Nevada campus. Washoe County, Nevada emergency officials established the Reno-Sparks Convention Center as a shelter for evacuees, but pet owners were directed to separate locations for small and large animals. Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard, deploying two helicopter crews for aerial firefighting support and 60 troops to assist law enforcement in securing evacuated neighborhoods. The fire, which reportedly began on Saturday, March 16, 2024, experienced significant growth throughout the day due to strong, gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, according to a statement from Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue. Approximately 400 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies, including ground crews and air resources, were actively engaged in combating the blaze. The fire's intensity led to power outages for nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in Washoe County on Sunday. Major transportation routes, including portions of U.S. Route 395, a critical north-south highway, were closed because of the fire's proximity. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve issued a statement on social media late Saturday night, urging residents to evacuate immediately if ordered, emphasizing that lives are more valuable than structures. She noted that buildings had already been destroyed and that timely evacuation would allow firefighters to concentrate on controlling the fire. Authorities were also monitoring a county detention facility located several blocks from the outer edge of the evacuation warning area, with contingency plans in place for a potential evacuation of inmates. The Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue statement detailed the collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, highlighting the deployment of both ground and aerial resources to manage the escalating situation. The rapid spread of the Hawk Fire underscored the critical importance of timely evacuations and inter-agency cooperation in mitigating the impact of large-scale wildfires in the region.