Nevada wildfire forces 42,000 to evacuate

A rapidly spreading, human-caused wildfire known as the Hawk Fire forced about 42,000 residents in Reno’s surroundings to evacuate, with roughly 45,000 more told to prepare to leave in evacuation-warning zones. Officials described extreme fire behavior as winds shifted and the blaze moved toward populated areas, damaging structures and injuring six people including three first responders. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the National Guard to support firefighting and protect evacuated neighborhoods. The fire expanded quickly across thousands of acres, with authorities working to clear roads and coordinate first-responder access while several critical facilities including hospitals and airports faced disruption. Investigators have confirmed the fire is human-caused but have not disclosed the exact start or motive as they continue to determine the precise cause.