Firefighters make progress against Nevada wildfire
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RENO, Nevada (AP) -- Crews have started to contain a wildfire in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Reno, Nevada, that destroyed more than 30 homes as it spread perilously close to dense neighborhoods, officials said Monday.
Containment reached 27% and there was no new growth of the Hawk Fire, which has held steady at about 23 square miles since it burned out of control on Sunday, authorities said at an afternoon news briefing.
“We are making progress,” said U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Matt Zumstein.
The number of residents under evacuation orders and warnings was reduced to about 63,000, down from more than 90,000 people when the blaze mushroomed over the weekend. While winds have eased, there’s still concern that gusts could push the flames through dry brush into newly developed neighborhoods in Nevada’s largest city outside of metro Las Vegas.
Firefighters are also contending with hot temperatures and low humidity. At least 32 homes have burned and six are damaged, but authorities said those numbers are sure to rise as assessment teams begin to survey the charred areas.
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said the way the fire spread so quickly at its height had her fearing for the worst.
“It lit up these areas like nothing I’ve seen before,” she said Monday. “It took your breath away, in the worst way.”
Schools across Washoe County were closed Monday because of the evacuations and to keep roads clear for emergency crews. Nevada’s governor declared a state of emergency in the county and mobilized the National Guard to help with aerial firefighting and protecting evacuated neighborhoods northwest of downtown Reno.
At one roadblock, residents expressed frustration Monday that they could not get back into their homes.
“There’s no fire here! Why are the National Guard here?” a driver yelled.
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said he understands that some residents are frustrated that they can’t get home but the danger isn’t over yet. “It just takes that little breeze and one ember,” he said.
The fire near the California state line began Saturday and exploded in size on Sunday. At least seven people -- three first responders and four civilians -- have been injured.
This is the third large wildfire in the rugged terrain north of Reno in the past two weeks -- all caused by human activity, according to fire officials. They haven’t said whether the Hawk Fire was intentionally set or accidental. Much of the area that burned was sagebrush and grass.
Reno, home to about 280,000 people, is known for its casinos and as a gateway to nearby Lake Tahoe, North America’s largest alpine lake and a popular vacation destination. It’s also southwest of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, site of the annual Burning Man festival, which begins next Sunday.
Many who travel to Burning Man make Reno a regular stop. But some are saying on social media they should avoid the city so they don’t take hotel rooms and other resources away from evacuees.