Fire officials held a Hawk Fire briefing on Sunday where they announced that about 42,000 people remain evacuated and/displaced by the fire. Another 90,000 people live within the evacuation zone. Authorities have implored all of them to leave and be prepared to stay away for several days, because shifting and strengthening winds were expected to make the fire even more unpredictable.
The Hawk Fire has burned through 13,000 acres and remains 0% contained after starting on Saturday near Somersett.
Fire officials stress don't call 911 for evacuation information. Keep 911 and emergency dispatch lines available for those experiencing an emergency.
Over 1,000 first responders and 800 personnel are helping with the fire.
They announced a Hawk Fire Facebook page where they will give updates You can also call 1-775-244-6988.
During the briefing, they announced that some 'structures' were damaged or destroyed but they did not give any specific numbers, not until an assessment is done.
The fire moved exceptionally fast Saturday night, jumping over fire trucks and making it difficult for responders to get to hotspots while residents were trying to get out, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said.
“It was extremely confusing,” the sheriff said, describing how changing winds sent the flames in different directions.
The fire started the day before, and has burned 10,520+ acres and remains 0% contained.
Fire officials say at least six people, three civilians and three first responders, have suffered injuries.
NV Energy says approximately 10,000 customers remain without power due to emergency de-energization measures related to the fire. Customers currently affected are located in areas where evacuation orders or warnings are already in place due to wildfire activity. Gas service was shut-off for about 250 customers, also for safety. Areas closest to the fire will remain de-energized until NV Energy teams and fire agencies advise it is safe to restore power.
NV Energy says customers are not charged for electricity during periods when service is interrupted due to emergency de-energization.
Gov. Joe Lombardo has declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, and mobilized the Nevada National Guard to support aerial firefighting with two helicopter crews as well as 60 troops to help police safeguard evacuated neighborhoods.
The #HawkFire is still a rapidly evolving situation. Stay vigilant and keep yourself informed if you are in the affected areas.
— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) August 23, 2026
Get highway updates and road closures from @nevadadotreno at https://t.co/64jm3bgewU
Monitor https://t.co/kOySTPJ8VM for evacuation information. https://t.co/29xxTrSdN3
We’re closely monitoring the #HawkFire across the Tahoe region and Nevada, with state and local partners deployed and coordinating on the ground and in the air.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) August 23, 2026
Residents in impacted areas should continue following guidance from local emergency officials.
The fire was started by people, according to fire officials who have not yet released a more specific cause.
Firefighters worked through the night to protect communities, structures and critical infrastructure.
The Nevada National Guard says they're sending one CH-47 Chinook and one UH-60 Black Hawk aircrews in support of aerial firefighting efforts on the Hawk Fire.
Additionally, 60 Nevada National Guard Response Force personnel have been called to assist local law enforcement in safeguarding evacuated neighborhoods.
The Reno-Stead Airport is currently closed to commercial flights but remains open for firefighting and military aircraft. Reno-Tahoe International remains unaffected.
— Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (@RenoAirport) August 23, 2026
Evacuations have expanded to the south, impacting the Somersett community, including areas north of Somersett Parkway to Robb Drive, as well as neighborhoods in northwest Reno. Rancho San Rafael Park is closed.
The most current Washoe County map is available at the Perimeter Map website.
An evacuation center has been set up at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 South Virginia Street, Reno.
Small animals can go to Washoe County Regional Animal Services on Longley Lane. Large animals can be taken to the Ironwood Event Center, at 5600 Whiskey Springs Road.
The Hawk Fire has also led to evacuation warnings in Sierra County, California. See the latest California evacuation warnings on the Genesys Map.
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Aug. 22, 9:30 p.m. update
Governor Joe Lombardo has declared a state of emergency in Washoe County as the Hawk fire continues to spread.
Under the declaration, all state agencies are directed to work through the Nevada Emergency Operations Center to supplement local efforts.
The Hawk Fire is now being mapped at 10,522 acres and remains 0% contained.
The most current map is available at the Perimeter Map website.
The evacuation site at the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center is now at capacity and a new evacuation site has been set up at Hall 4 of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 South Virginia Street, Reno.
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Aug. 22, 9:00 p.m. update
The Hawk Fire is now being mapped at 10,522 acres and remains 0% contained.
According to NDOT, U.S. 395 northbound is closed between Parr Blvd and Bordertown. U.S. 395 southbound freeway ramps are open between Stead Blvd and Reno for evacuations.
New Evacuation Warnings have been issued in the Lemmon Valley and Silver Knolls area.
The most current map is available at the Perimeter Map website.
EVACUATION CENTER
The evacuation site at the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center is now full.
The new evacuation site is located at Hall 4 of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 South Virginia Street, Reno.
DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES:
If you are being evacuated, the Silver Legacy, Eldorado and Circus Circus Reno are offering a $59 room rate with no resort fee.
Call 1-800-223-7277 or book online with code SCLOC26.
J Resort is also offering a $59 discounted rate with no resort free. Use the code HAWK26 when booking online.
The Nugget is Sparks is also offering a $49 room rate for evacuees.
Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) is offering evacuees and fire crews a special room rate of $59 per night, with resort fees waived. Evacuees and fire crews can take advantage of the offer by visiting GrandSierraResort.com/Evacuee or calling the resort at 775-789-2000 and mentioning the code “EVACUEE.” The special rate is available for a limited time and may be extended as circumstances warrant, based on room availability. Note: GSR is not accepting reservations with pets.
LARGE ANIMALS
According to Washoe County, the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center is NOT an evacuation center for animals. An event this weekend means there is currently no room.
We will update this story when a location has been identified.
Mayor Hilary Schieve has released a statement as the firefight continues:
"My heart goes out to anyone in our community who has been impacted by the dangerous and fast-moving Hawk Fire. Our firefighters and first responders are heroically fighting the fire and the high winds to save lives, homes, businesses, livestock and pets.
If you have been told to evacuate, please don’t wait! Structures have already been burned in this fire and your life is more important than a building. Evacuating before the fire arrives also allows our firefighters to focus their efforts on battling the blaze.
I encourage our community to please keep our firefighters and first responders in your prayers and to open your hearts, homes and businesses to the people who have had to evacuate.
The City of Reno staff and regional partners will keep you updated on the information you need to know through local news media, social media, perimetermap.com and emergencywashoe.com.”
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Aug. 22, 7:45 p.m. update:
The Hawk Fire has grown to 8,020 acres according to the latest estimate from fire officials.
Evacuation orders and warnings continue to expand.
The most current map is available at the Perimeter Map website.
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Aug. 22, 7:00 p.m. update:
The evacuation orders and warnings are now expanding rapidly.
New evacuations are in effect for all communities on the north side of US 395 that border the highway.
The most current map is available at the Perimeter Map website.
Fire officials have not updated the number of acres burned. The Hawk Fire has burned an estimated 2,500 acres.
U.S. 395 remains closed between Parr Blvd and Red Rock Rd.
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Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m. update:
Some evacuation warnings have been changed to Evacuate Now orders. The most current map is available at the Perimeter Map website.
GO NOW EVACUATION ORDERS are in effect north and northwest of Somersett and north of Verdi as well as on the west side of US 395 for areas of Golden Valley, Lemmon Valley, Stead and Cold Springs.
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Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m. update:
The Hawk Fire remains at 2,500 acres and is moving in a northeast direction according to Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue.
Some evacuation warnings have been changed to Evacuate Now orders. The most current map is available at the Perimeter Map website.
GO NOW EVACUATION ORDERS are in effect north and northwest of Somersett and north of Verdi as well as on the west side of US 395 for Golden Valley, Lemmon Valley, and Stead.
GET SET EVACUATION WARNINGS are in effect in portions of Stead, Golden Valley, and Cold Springs.
EVACUATION CENTER
Those needing to evacuate can go to the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center, 1301 Valley Road in Reno.
DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES:
If you are being evacuated, the Silver Legacy, Eldorado and Circus Circus Reno are offering a $59 room rate with no resort fee.
Call 1-800-223-7277 or book online with code SCLOC26.
J Resort is also offering a $59 discounted rate with no resort free. Use the code HAWK26 when booking online.
ROAD CLOSURES:
U.S. 395 is closed in both directions from Parr Boulevard to Red Rock Rd.
N. Virginia Street is closed between Red Rock Rd. and White Lake Pkwy
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Aug. 22, 3:40 p.m. update:
The Hawk Fire is west Reno has burned an estimated 2,500 acres and is 0% contained since starting around 11 a.m. Saturday.
According to Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue, the fire is moving northeast with approximately 1,000 homes threatened.
Local, state, and federal fire crews are on the scene with airtankers and at least 2 helicopters. More resources are being requested from Cal Fire.
Evacuations are in place and can be seen on the Perimeter Map website.
GO NOW EVACUATION ORDERS remain in effect north and northwest of Somersett and north of Verdi.
Residents near the immediate area should remain alert and prepared, as conditions can change rapidly.
GET SET EVACUATION WARNINGS remain in effect on the west side of US 395 for Golden Valley, Lemmon Valley, and Stead.
Those needing to evacuate can go to the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center, 1301 Valley Road in Reno. Washoe County Human Services Agency, Allied Security, and American Red Cross of Nevada staff are there ready to assist.
The Hawk fire has also led to evacuation warnings in Sierra County, California. See the latest California warnings on the Genesys Map.
DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES:
If you are being evacuated, the Silver Legacy, Eldorado and Circus Circus Reno are offering a $59 room rate with no resort fee.
Call 1-800-223-7277 or book online with code SCLOC26.
J Resort is also offering a $59 discounted rate with no resort free. Use the code HAWK26 when booking online.
ROAD CLOSURES:
North Virginia Street is currently closed between Red Rock Rd. and White Lake Parkway.
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Aug. 22, 2:30 p.m. update:
Reno Fire and Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue crews are fighting a fire burning north of Cold Creek Trail, north of Somersett in west Reno
An additional 10 engines, 2 dozers and 2 hand crews have been requested from CAL FIRE by Incident Command.
So far, the fire has burned an estimated 2,500 acres.
Evacuations are in place and can be seen on the Perimeter Map website.
GO NOW EVACUATION ORDERS are in effect north and northwest of Somersett and north of Verdi.
While the majority of the evacuation area is unpopulated, residents near the immediate area should remain alert and prepared, as conditions can change rapidly.
GET SET EVACUATION WARNINGS are now in effect on the west side of US 395 for Golden Valley, Lemmon Valley, and Stead.
Hawk Meadow Trail is closed north of Somersett Parkway.
California evacuation warnings
The Hawk fire has also led to evacuation warnings in Sierra County. See the latest California warnings on the Genesys Map.
