Nevada wildfire: 90,000 people face evacuation as state of emergency declared
A human-caused wildfire in Reno, Nevada, has forced the evacuation of 90,000 people as it spreads through the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest. The governor has declared a state of emergency to mobilize resources and support firefighting efforts.
Why it matters
The rapid spread of the fire and the scale of the evacuation underscore the increasing threat of wildfires to urban areas in the American West.
A fast-growing wildfire in northwest Reno, Nevada, remained uncontained and was determined to be human-caused, authorities said Sunday. Officials expanded the “GO NOW” evacuation zone and urged about 90,000 people to evacuate or prepare to leave.About 42,000 residents were under evacuation orders, while another 45,000 were in an adjacent evacuation warning zone. Authorities urged everyone in both areas to leave and be prepared to remain away for several days, warning that shifting, strengthening winds could make the fire increasingly unpredictable.The "Hawk Fire" began on Saturday and quickly grew to about 20 square miles (53 sq km) as it spread through the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest, where rugged foothills are surrounded by homes and businesses near the California state line.The blaze advanced exceptionally quickly, jumping over fire trucks and hampering firefighters’ efforts to reach hotspots as residents fled the area.Several structures were destroyed, and six people —…
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