The Washoe County Commission has confirmed the emergency declaration for the Hawk Fire.
At its meeting on Tuesday, September 8, the Washoe County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve all of the consent items on its agenda, including ratifying the declaration.
The ratification does not change the resources allocated to the Hawk Fire through Washoe County. It just confirms County Manager Kate Thomas’s original declaration for the areas surrounding Verdi, Somersett, and Peavine Peak.
Thomas declared a state of emergency in Washoe County on August 22, hours after the Hawk Fire broke out. This allowed Washoe County to quickly mobilize its resources, speed up administrative processes, and open the door for state and federal assistance.
The declaration is separate from Governor Joe Lombardo’s emergency declaration — also on August 22 — and his request for a presidential emergency declaration, which President Donald Trump signed on September 2.
Following the decision, Washoe County Chair Clara Andriola reflected on the strength of the bonds in our community.
“The impact of any disaster has a psychological component to it,” Andriola said, “and in that is the ability for us to be compassionate and patient."
Andriola also thanked those in our community who stepped up.
“I really wanted to thank all the businesses who donated … thousands and thousands of dollars directly for immediate support,” she said. “All the folks who helped with the Community Resource Center, all the folks who worked with communication, and all of the regional partners.”
The emergency declaration will stay active until either Thomas or the Board of Commissioners decides the emergency no longer exists or the threat is over.
