Hawk Fire

Hawk Fire

Hawk Fire
Part of the 2026 Nevada wildfires
The Hawk Fire on August 22, 2026
Date
  • August 22, 2026 – present
LocationPeavine Peak, Washoe County, Nevada
Coordinates39°35′13″N 119°55′56″W / 39.586920217°N 119.932138508°W / 39.586920217; -119.932138508
Statistics
Perimeter85% contained
Burned area15,085 acres (6,105 ha)
Impacts
Deaths0
Injuries3 firefighters
4 civilians
Evacuated42,000[a]
Structures destroyed48 destroyed
14 damaged
Ignition
CauseUnder investigation; human-caused

The Hawk Fire is a wildfire burning in Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest on Peavine Peak, just outside of Reno, Washoe County, Nevada. The fire ignited on August 22 from a currently unknown ignition source and rapidly spread, driven by dry vegetation, strong winds, and low humidity. The fire has destroyed forty–seven residential structures, destroyed one commercial structure, and damaged fourteen residential structures. As of August 26, the fire is 15,085 acres (6,105 ha) and 85% contained.

Background

The area experienced a record low snowpack during the 2025–26 winter.[1] A red flag warning was issued from 11 am to 11 pm on August 22 across portions of Western Nevada and Lassen County, California; southwest winds were blowing 15–25 miles per hour (24–40 km/h), gusting up to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h), and humidity was as low as 18%.[2] After ignition, the Hawk Fire was driven by the strong wind and sere vegetation,[3] particularly the invasive species cheatgrass.[1]

The Hawk Fire was named for its proximity to Hawk Meadow Trail.[4]

Cause

Resources began responding to the Hawk Fire shortly before 11:25 am on August 22, 2026.[5] The exact cause is currently undetermined and under investigation,[6] but officials have confirmed the Hawk Fire is human–caused.[7] An investigation is underway to determine a suspect for igniting the fire, albeit intentional or accidental.[8]

Progression

The Hawk Fire was estimated at 15 acres (6.1 ha) and on–scene units via radio traffic stated it was moving at "a rapid rate of spread".[5] An evacuation order was soon ordered for a sparsely populated area, followed with several evacuation warnings west of U.S. Route 395 in Lemmon Valley, Stead, and Golden Valley and in Sierra County, California.[9] By 2:30 pm, the incident commander requested additional resources from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Hawk Fire was estimated at 2,500 acres (1,000 ha).[10] Early that evening, U.S. Route 395 was closed from Parr Boulevard to Red Rock Road near the Nevada–California state line.[11] The fire jumped U.S. Route 395 near Peppermint Drive, estimated at over 8,000 acres (3,200 ha).[12] Evacuations expanded overnight, north, east, and south of the fire's perimeter.[5] The wind repeatedly changed directions and jumped over first responder equipment.[10]

NV Energy re–energized approximately 50,000 customers while there were still 250 customers without gas. The Hawk Fire grew to 13,000 acres (5,300 ha) overnight, with about 800 personnel engaging in suppression efforts. Ten aerial firefighting aircraft began combatting the fire around 8:30 am.[13] The Hawk Fire continued spreading towards Long Valley in Sierra County,[10] growing to 15,040 acres (6,090 ha) that afternoon.[5] "Extreme fire behavior" was seen from the fire's large runs through heavy fuels.[14]

Crews managed to hold the Hawk Fire overnight, primarily making runs in areas of heavy fuels.[5] A containment line was established along the southern perimeter, increasing containment to 27% and evacuation orders were reduced to evacuation warnings in Somersett. The number of residents under evacuation orders decreased from 42,000 to 23,000. Authorities reportedly stated, "[we] have are having issues with drones",[10] with one identified where the fire jumped U.S. Route 395.[15] Several evacuation levels were reduced east of U.S. Route 395; the highway reopened.[16]

The Hawk Fire, again, stayed within its footprint overnight.[5] Evacuations were lifted near White Lake and Village Parkway, and general aviation operations resumed at Reno Stead Airport.[10] Containment spiked to 85%,[15] and forward progress{{efn|Forward progress is the complete stop of a wildfire's spread. It does not necessarily mean the fire is fully contained or extinguished.[17] was stopped.[18]

Effects

Blackened terrain on the south side of Peavine Peak.[b]

Mayor of Reno Hillary Schieve stated on X on August 8, "structures have already been burned in this fire".[6][9] Forty–seven residential structures and North Valley Self Storage have been destroyed and fourteen have been damaged. Damage assessments are still underway.[15][18][19] Roughly 14,000 structures were under evacuation orders;[20][21] 42,000 residents were in "go now" evacuation zones and 45,000 separate residents are in "get set" zones. Three firefighters and four civilians have been injured.[21][22] Northern Nevada Health Systems evacuated and closed ER at North Valleys.[23] Reno Stead Airport temporarily closed to general aviation operations.[3] Rancho San Rafael Regional Park closed and the evacuation order zone laid just outside of the University of Nevada, Reno main campus,[5] and officials are "closely monitoring" the fire in the event they must evacuate Washoe County Jail.[24] The Nevada National Guard has mobilized 60 troops to guard evacuated neighborhoods.[3] Over 59,000 NV Energy customers were de–energized on August 22.[11] Governor of Nevada Joe Lombardo issued a state of emergency for Washoe County.[20]

Growth and containment table

Fire containment status Gray: contained; Red: active; %: percent contained;
Date Area burned Personnel Containment
August 22[5] 10,523 acres (4,259 ha) —
0%
August 23[25][5] 15,039 acres (6,086 ha) 400
0%
August 24[5][26] 15,051 acres (6,091 ha) 720
27%
August 25[5][27] 15,066 acres (6,097 ha) 816
85%

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 45,000 separate residents are under evacuation warnings, or "get set" notices.
  2. ^ A portion of the lower blackened part of the mountain is from a previous, separate incident.

References

  1. ^ a b Schwartz, Levi (August 26, 2026). "Hawk Fire Reaches 85% Containment as Reno Residents Begin Returning Home". Headlines & Global News. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  2. ^ "Red Flag Warning issued for many parts of northern Nevada". KTVN. August 22, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "Fast-growing Hawk Fire near Reno, Nevada forces thousands to evacuate". CBS News. August 23, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  4. ^ "What's in a name? When it comes to fires, a lot". This is Reno. August 25, 2026. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Hawk Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  6. ^ a b Park, Hanna; Golllandeau, Martin (August 23, 2026). "Fast-growing Hawk Fire forces evacuations in Reno, Nevada governor declares emergency". CNN. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  7. ^ "Reno's uncontained Hawk Fire was caused by humans, authorities say". KVVU-TV. August 23, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  8. ^ McAndrew, Siobhan (August 25, 2026). "Search continues for person who started Hawk Fire". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  9. ^ a b McAndrew, Siobhan; McGinness, Brett; Hidalgo, Jason; Meehan, Jeffrey; Young, Jaedyn (August 23, 2026). "Hawk Fire evacuation zone expands south into Somersett, northwest Reno". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Evacuations ongoing as Hawk Fire grows 10,500+ acres near Peavine Mountain". KTVN. August 23, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  11. ^ a b O'Boyle, Brenna (August 23, 2026). "Hawk Fire forces evacuations and road closures in north Reno". KOLO-TV. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  12. ^ "'Extreme danger': West Reno Hawk Fire prompts evacuations". This is Reno. August 22, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  13. ^ McGinness, Brett; Meehan, Jeffrey; McAndrew, Siobhan; Hidalgo, Jason; Robison, Mark (August 23, 2026). "Hawk Fire Sunday updates: 15K acres; Reno-Sparks schools closed Monday". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  14. ^ "Hawk Fire evacuations in Reno, Nevada, slightly eased but thousands remain on high alert". CBS News. August 24, 2026. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  15. ^ a b c McGinness, Brett; Young, Jaedyn; McAndrew, Siobhan; Hidalgo, Jason; Robison, Mark (August 25, 2026). "Hawk Fire Tuesday: Classes canceled Wednesday for 13 WCSD schools". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  16. ^ McGinness, Brett; Hidalgo, Jason; McAndrew, Siobhan; Young, Jaedyn (August 25, 2026). "Reno Hawk Fire updates Monday: U.S. 395 opens, more evacuations lifted". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  17. ^ "Forward Progress". ein.az.gov. Arizona Emergency Information Network. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  18. ^ a b Everman, Hannah (August 26, 2026). "Crews make 'good progress' on Hawk Fire containment; some evacuations reduced". KRNV-DT. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  19. ^ Hackbarth, Kristen (August 24, 2026). "Hawk Fire: 32 homes destroyed, damage assessment continues". This is Reno. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  20. ^ a b "Wildfire approaches Reno, Nevada, forcing thousands to evacuate their neighborhoods". Associated Press. August 23, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  21. ^ a b "Fast-moving wildfire in Reno, Nevada, forces tens of thousands to evacuate homes". The Guardian. August 23, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  22. ^ Greenwood, Amanda; Silverman, Hollie; Backus, Alex (August 24, 2026). "Hawk Fire Evacuation Map as 32 Homes Destroyed, 7 Injured". Newsweek. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  23. ^ Maglunog, Tristan; Harrison, Jenna; Moore, Jack (August 23, 2026). "Fast-growing Hawk Fire explodes to more than 10,000 acres, spurs evacuations outside Reno". ABC News. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  24. ^ "Washoe County Jail monitoring fire situation in case of evacuation". KTVN. August 22, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  25. ^ "Hawk Fire Daily Update: August 23, 2026" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved August 24, 2026.
  26. ^ "Hawk Fire Daily Update: August 24, 2026" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  27. ^ "Daily Update: Hawk Fire August 25, 2026". Emergency Washoe. August 25, 2026. Retrieved August 25, 2026.

Content Disclaimer

Informasi ini disarikan dari Wikipedia dan disajikan kembali untuk tujuan edukasi. Konten tersedia di bawah lisensi CC BY-SA 3.0. Kami tidak bertanggung jawab atas ketidakakuratan data yang bersumber dari kontribusi publik tersebut.

  1. The information displayed on this website is sourced in part or in whole from Wikipedia and has been adapted for the purpose of restating it. We strive to provide accurate and relevant information, however:
  2. There is no guarantee of absolute accuracy. Wikipedia is an open, collaborative project that can be edited by anyone, so information is subject to change.
  3. It is not intended to constitute professional advice. The content displayed is for informational and educational purposes only. For important decisions (e.g., medical, legal, or financial), please consult a professional.
  4. Content copyright. Wikipedia is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (CC BY-SA). This means that content may be reused with appropriate attribution and shared under a similar license.
  5. Responsible use. Any risk arising from the use of information from this website is entirely the responsibility of the user.