Hawk Fire pushes tens of thousands to evacuate near Reno, Nevada

RENO, Nev. - Tens of thousands of people near Reno were told to evacuate as the Hawk Fire raced from dry foothills toward neighborhoods on the city's northwest edge, the BBC and local emergency officials reported.

About 42,000 people were ordered to leave immediately. Another roughly 45,000 were told to get ready. Officials said about 13,700 homes sat inside the evacuation footprint. Six people were injured, including three emergency responders.

The blaze was first reported Saturday morning near Hawk Meadow Trail west of Reno and was ruled human-caused. By Sunday, Washoe County emergency officials said more than 10,000 acres had burned and no part of the perimeter was contained. Wind and dry fuels pushed fast runs into canyon and hillside neighborhoods such as Somersett, Golden Valley, Lemmon Valley, and Stead.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and ordered the National Guard to help with firefighting and law enforcement. The Guard said dozens of personnel and helicopters joined the response. Large air tankers and helicopters dropped water and retardant as crews worked extreme fire conditions, Truckee Meadows Fire Chief Richard Edwards said.

Washoe County schools closed Monday for nearly all campuses. Mass road closures were in place. Two shelters opened for displaced residents. The University of Nevada, Reno said regular campus operations continued while leaders watched the nearby get-set zone.

Local reporter Lucia Starbuck of KUNR told the BBC the fire exploded across dry desert hills with homes below and that some structures had burned, though exact home losses were still being counted. Officials urged people in go-now zones not to wait. Reno's population is about 280,000, and wildfires often stay rural; this one reached the urban edge.