A fast-moving wildfire grew nearly 50% in a single day as it bore down on Reno, Nevada, sending evacuation zones sprawling toward the city while flames burned closer.
The Hawk Fire has devoured 15,040 acres by Sunday afternoon, just a day after it was first spotted northwest of “The Biggest Little City in the World,” according to 8 News Now.
With the fire still at 0% containment, the danger crept closer as evacuation zones expanded south and east and residents were urged to evacuate.
The Washoe County sheriff said the blaze was human-caused and encouraged 90,000 people to leave the area, the Associated Press reported.
It was a dramatic escalation from Saturday morning when the fire was first spotted around 11:30 a.m. off Hawk Meadow Trail, about a mile north of Cold Creek Trail in the Somersett area northwest of Reno.
Flames raced north and burned 10,523 acres by the end of Saturday. By Sunday, about 4,500 more acres had burned, pushing the total to 15,040 acres.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency Saturday night, while the force battling the blaze swelled to 800 personnel.
The spreading emergency was reshaping life around Reno by Sunday night.
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Washoe County canceled Monday classes as evacuations increased and officials sought to keep roads clear for emergency crews.
“The decision to close schools is due to evacuations, impacts on regional public safety resources, and to help keep roads clear for emergency vehicles,” the school district said in a social media post.
Only students in Gerlach, about 100 miles northeast, were expected to head to class as usual.
The University of Nevada, Reno was staying open, telling students its campus remained safely outside both evacuation and “Get Ready” zones.
“The University remains safe and is not located within an evacuation zone or a ‘Get Ready’ (Yellow) evacuation zone. The University has established emergency response and evacuation plans in place should conditions change,” UNR said.
The school said that support, guidance, and other resources were available to students directly affected by the wildfire.
The flames also disrupted a major route through the region, with U.S. 395 remaining closed in several areas Sunday.
Southbound drivers were turned around at the California border, while northbound traffic was blocked between Parr Boulevard and Red Rock Road. Southbound U.S. 395 remained open from Red Rock Road into Reno, 8 News Now reported.
As the evacuation footprint widened, the American Red Cross of Nevada opened a shelter at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, while Washoe County began helping evacuees at the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center.
The emergency even prompted residents in Reno and Carson City to take to social media, offering space and assistance to families trying to get their horses out of the fire’s path.
