Hawk Fire Near Reno Burns 15,067 Acres as 9,000 Residents Return Home

Hawk Fire containment improves, but dangerous weather is expected near Reno

About 9,000 people were cleared Tuesday to return to homes in the Reno area after firefighters gained ground on the Hawk Fire, a fast-moving wildfire that has burned 15,067 acres and destroyed more than 40 homes, officials said.

The blaze, which started Saturday and is believed to have been caused by people, was 27% contained Tuesday afternoon. Although evacuation orders were lifted for thousands of residents, roughly 5,000 people remained out of their homes as crews continued to work in affected areas, according to Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam.

Residents living east of State Route 395 were allowed to return beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Balaam said the area west of the highway sustained the most severe damage from the fire, which spread rapidly after igniting over the weekend.

Richard Edwards, chief of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, said the fire traveled about six miles during its first 24 hours. Despite that speed and the widespread destruction, no deaths had been reported as of Tuesday afternoon.

“I think it’s incredible that we’ve not had a fatality in this fire, given how fast it’s moved,” Edwards said during a news conference.

Investigators examining how the fire started

The fire’s cause remains under investigation. Balaam said investigators believe the Hawk Fire was human-caused because it began in an area where there had been no lightning strikes or other apparent natural ignition source. Authorities had not determined Tuesday whether the fire was intentionally set or started accidentally.

That distinction remains significant as emergency officials warn that many recent large fires have been preventable. Edwards said the region had experienced several human-caused fires during the previous 2½ weeks, emphasizing the risks posed by activities that can create sparks or flames during dry and windy conditions.

The Hawk Fire has become a major test for fire agencies serving the Reno area, where homes, highways and open terrain can sit close together. The rapid evacuation and staged reopening underscore how quickly residents may need to respond when a wildfire expands near populated communities.

Officials urged returning residents to remain alert, follow local directions and use caution around damaged areas. Information on emergency conditions and evacuation updates is available through Washoe County.

While containment improved Tuesday, Edwards warned that critical fire-weather conditions were forecast to begin Wednesday and continue through the weekend. The Hawk Fire investigation remained ongoing, and about 5,000 residents were still under evacuation orders Tuesday afternoon.