RENO, NEVADA / RankWire.AI / – The Hawk Fire near Reno destroyed 47 homes and one commercial building as firefighters raised containment to 85% by late Tuesday. The wildfire covered 15,067 acres after spreading rapidly through dry terrain northwest of the city. Eight other homes suffered serious damage during the blaze. Seven people sustained injuries, including firefighters, while officials reported no deaths. The updated property count followed a broader assessment of neighborhoods affected since the fire began Saturday.
Washoe County teams surveyed damaged areas and documented the latest losses across communities near the fire zone. Most destruction occurred west of U.S. Highway 395, where the blaze moved through populated areas during its early spread. Search teams checked affected properties and found no evidence of additional victims. Officials said the fire traveled about six miles during its first 24 hours. The fast-moving flames prompted evacuation orders across neighborhoods north and northwest of Reno.
About 9,300 residents east of U.S. 395 received permission to return home Tuesday as fire conditions improved. Roughly 5,000 people remained under evacuation orders during an afternoon briefing. Authorities reduced restrictions in several areas as crews secured more of the fire perimeter. Some roads also reopened after closures disrupted travel around northern Reno. Returning residents encountered damaged utilities, burned property and areas that still required firefighter patrols and safety checks.
Containment climbs as residents return
Firefighters kept the Hawk Fire at 15,067 acres while increasing containment around the perimeter. Officials reported 586 personnel assigned to the incident late Tuesday, down from larger deployments earlier in the response. Crews continued searching for hot spots and reinforcing lines around burned neighborhoods. The operation had included engines, aircraft and firefighting teams from several U.S. states. Personnel from Australia and New Zealand also joined the response as crews worked across the northern Nevada fire zone.
Investigators have classified the Hawk Fire as human-caused, but authorities have not said whether the ignition was accidental or intentional. The blaze started Saturday near the Somersett area and moved quickly through dry vegetation. Strong winds helped drive flames toward communities in northwest Reno during the initial spread. Firefighters later gained more control as conditions improved and containment lines expanded. Officials have not released further findings about the exact source of the fire.
Emergency response continues across fire zone
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for the county during the weekend as evacuations expanded. The declaration directed state resources toward local firefighting, public safety and recovery operations. Emergency officials coordinated support for residents who left their homes and for crews working around damaged communities. The declaration is scheduled to remain in effect through August 29 unless authorities end it earlier. State and local teams also continued managing evacuation information and access to affected neighborhoods.
The Hawk Fire also damaged power infrastructure, including about 100 wooden utility poles along its path. Utility crews worked to restore service as more residents returned to reopened areas. Firefighters remained on patrol Tuesday while teams inspected damaged property and monitored conditions near containment lines. Authorities continued adjusting evacuation zones as access improved. The confirmed toll stood at 47 homes destroyed, eight homes seriously damaged and one commercial building lost, with containment holding at 85%.