Crews gain ground on Nevada wildfire after mass evacuations near Reno

Updated 25 August 2026 — RENO, Nevada: Firefighters had contained 27% of the Hawk Fire

The number of people covered by evacuation orders and warnings fell to about 63,000 on Monday, down from more than 90,000 over the weekend, the Associated Press reported. Some residents were allowed to return, but Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam warned that embers and renewed winds still posed a threat. Official damage assessments recorded six additional homes as damaged and were continuing, meaning the property toll was expected to rise.

Seven people — four civilians and three first responders — were injured, according to the Associated Press. No deaths had been confirmed, while canine teams were checking burned areas as part of the authorities’ assessment. Washoe County said about 720 personnel were assigned to the fire in its Monday update.

The blaze began near Hawk Meadow Trail on Saturday, 22 August, before wind drove it through grass, brush and timber around Peavine Peak, according to Washoe County’s emergency portal. Fire officials classified the cause as human activity but had not established publicly whether it was accidental. Reno Fire Chief David Cochran said investigators had found no indication that the fire was deliberately set, local broadcaster KCRA reported.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared an emergency in Washoe County on Saturday and directed state agencies to support the local response. The Nevada National Guard supplied helicopter crews for aerial firefighting and personnel to help secure evacuated neighbourhoods, according to the Associated Press.

The fire exposed the difficulty of protecting expanding neighbourhoods beside the dry foothills north of Reno. The Associated Press reported that this was the third large human-caused wildfire north of the city within two weeks, following months of dry weather and exceptionally low winter snowfall across the western United States.

The immediate Belgian impact is limited to travellers in northern Nevada. Belgium’s Foreign Ministry advises citizens facing wildfires abroad to follow local evacuation instructions, monitor emergency notices and register their journey through Travellers Online.

Fire managers are expected to focus on strengthening containment lines and assessing properties before lifting more evacuation orders. The central uncertainties remain the final number of damaged buildings, the condition of affected residents and the precise action that started the fire.