Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County on Saturday, August 22, as the rapidly growing Hawk Fire forced mandatory evacuations northwest of Reno near Verdi and Somersett. Driven by strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, the fire surged to approximately 10,500 acres.
The Hawk Fire was first reported at about 11:23 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, in Washoe County near Verdi, quickly escalating into a major threat to populated areas across northwest Reno according to local news reports and emergency officials. Fueled by dry vegetation, low humidity, and strong winds, the blaze experienced significant growth throughout the day
as it moved northeast toward the Somersett community and Peavine Mountain. Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue reported earlier in the day that the fire was moving northeast toward populated areas.
Emergency Declaration Mobilizes State Agencies Across Washoe County
Governor Lombardo formally responded on Saturday evening by issuing a state of emergency in Washoe County as firefighters battle the rapidly growing Hawk Fire burning northwest of Reno near Verdi and the Somersett community, directing all state agencies to work through the Nevada Emergency Operations Center to supplement local efforts. Around 400 personnel from local, state and federal agencies were assigned to the incident.
I have declared a state of emergency in Washoe County as we respond to the Hawk Fire, which is spreading quickly and threatening homes and structures,
said Governor Joe Lombardo. Please heed all warnings from local officials, evacuate immediately if you are ordered to do so, and do not put yourself or first responders at risk.
Governor Joe Lombardo
The governor stressed that the situation remained active and rapidly evolving, urging residents in the path of the flames to follow local warnings and evacuate immediately when ordered to do so in an official statement posted to social media on Saturday.
This is an active and rapidly evolving situation, and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the direction of local officials,
continued Governor Lombardo. The state is fully engaged, and we are working alongside local authorities and first responders to deploy every available resource to protect lives, safeguard communities, and keep Nevadans out of harm’s way.
Governor Joe Lombardo
State officials confirmed that a written declaration of emergency will follow.
Expanding Evacuations and Shelter Operations in Reno
Evacuation orders and warnings expanded repeatedly throughout Saturday as fire conditions changed, with Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue and the Washoe County Regional Emergency Operations Center adjusting zones to match shifting conditions. According to the Washoe County Regional Emergency Operations Center and Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue, new mandatory evacuations were issued for portions of the Somersett community, including areas north of Somersett Parkway to Robb Drive and neighborhoods north of West Seventh Street to North McCarran Boulevard. Washoe County officials upgraded several warning zones to full evacuation orders during the afternoon and evening as evacuation orders and warnings expanded repeatedly throughout Saturday as fire conditions changed.
To accommodate displaced residents, officials established an evacuation shelter at Hall 4 of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, located at 4590 South Virginia Street in Reno. While authorities haven’t released a consolidated count of evacuation orders affecting individual households, multiple neighborhoods in northwest Reno, Somersett, Verdi and surrounding areas were placed under either “Go Nowevacuation orders or
Get Set” warnings.
Regional Resource Strains and Concurrently Burning California Fires
The Hawk Fire isn’t the only major wildfire affecting the region. Several large wildfires burning in California, including the nearly contained Bug Fire, which burned more than 93,000 acres along the California-Nevada border in Lassen and Sierra counties, have contributed to broader concerns over regional smoke impacts and firefighting resource demands across the western United States.
While most of the California fires are hundreds of miles from Reno, residents in northern Nevada could experience degraded air quality if atmospheric conditions transport smoke eastward. The simultaneous presence of major fires in California and Nevada may also increase pressure on firefighting resources, aircraft availability and emergency management systems throughout the region as agencies coordinate responses across multiple incidents.
Overnight Operations and What Lies Ahead
Firefighters continued working overnight to protect homes, critical infrastructure and threatened communities. Officials warned that gusty winds and dry conditions could continue to support rapid fire growth.
Residents are being urged to monitor official updates from Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue, Washoe County Emergency Management and Nevada emergency officials.
