RENO, NEVADA / RankWire.AI / – As of late Tuesday, firefighters in Washoe County reported that 85% of the Hawk Fire near Reno has been contained, after 47 homes and one commercial building were lost. The wildfire, which spread rapidly through dry terrain northwest of Reno, burned a total of 15,067 acres. During the blaze, eight additional homes suffered significant damage. Seven individuals, including firefighters, sustained injuries, though no fatalities were reported. This update followed an expanded assessment of the neighborhoods impacted since the fire’s start on Saturday.
Washoe County teams surveyed the damage and documented the latest losses across affected communities near the fire zone. Most destruction occurred west of U.S. Highway 395, where the fire moved through populated areas early on. Search crews checked the affected properties and found no evidence of additional victims. The fire traveled approximately six miles in its first 24 hours, prompting evacuation orders for neighborhoods north and northwest of Reno due to the fast-moving flames.
On Tuesday afternoon, about 9,300 residents east of U.S. 395 were permitted to return home as fire conditions improved. Meanwhile, roughly 5,000 people remained under evacuation orders. Authorities eased restrictions in several areas as crews reinforced the fire perimeter. Some roads reopened after closures hampered travel around northern Reno. Residents returning faced damaged utilities, burned properties, and zones still under patrol and safety inspections by firefighters.
Containment Progress and Resident Returns as Firefighting Continues
Fire crews kept the Hawk Fire at 15,067 acres while increasing containment around its edges. By late Tuesday, officials reported 586 personnel assigned to the incident, a reduction from earlier deployment levels. Teams continued searching for hot spots and bolstering lines around burned neighborhoods. The effort involved engines, aircraft, and firefighting units from multiple U.S. states, with personnel from Australia and New Zealand also participating as they worked across northern Nevada.
The fire has been classified as human-caused, but authorities have not specified whether it was accidental or intentional. The blaze started Saturday near the Somersett area and quickly spread through dry vegetation, driven by strong winds toward northwest Reno communities. As conditions improved, firefighting teams gained better control and expanded containment lines. No further details about the fire’s exact source have been released.
Ongoing Response and Damage Assessment in the Fire Zone
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County during the weekend, as evacuation zones expanded. The emergency declaration mobilized additional state resources for firefighting, public safety, and recovery efforts. Support was coordinated for residents who evacuated and for crews working in damaged neighborhoods. The declaration remains in effect through August 29 unless terminated earlier. State and local agencies continued managing evacuation information and neighborhood access.
The fire also impacted power infrastructure, including approximately 100 wooden utility poles along its path. Utility crews worked to restore power as residents returned to areas that had reopened. Firefighters remained on patrol Tuesday, inspecting damaged properties and monitoring conditions near containment lines. Authorities continued adjusting evacuation zones as access improved. The confirmed toll remains at 47 homes destroyed, eight seriously damaged, and one commercial building lost, with containment standing at 85%.