A fast-moving wildfire on the outskirts of Reno, Nevada, has forced approximately 42,000 residents to evacuate their homes, with an additional 45,000 people placed on standby for possible evacuation. The fire, first reported at 11:15 local time (18:15 GMT) on Saturday, has been confirmed by local officials to have been caused by human activity.
Fire Spread and Containment Status
According to the BBC, by August 23, the fire had scorched approximately 10,500 acres and remained completely uncontained. Six people have been injured since the fire broke out, including three emergency responders directly involved in fighting the blaze. Officials cited unpredictable wind conditions as a significant factor in the fire's rapid spread, making it difficult to control.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County and called in the National Guard to assist both firefighting crews and law enforcement on the ground. "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," Lombardo said.
Evacuation Zones and Community Impact
Around 13,700 homes fall within the evacuation zone. Local emergency services have set up two shelters to accommodate displaced residents who have nowhere else to go. All Washoe County schools will remain shut on Monday, with the exception of one. Widespread road closures are also in effect across parts of the area as emergency vehicles move through affected zones.
Reno sits in western Nevada, close to the border with California, and is home to around 280,000 people. The scale of the evacuation orders reflects how close the fire has come to a heavily populated urban centre. The evacuation orders and road closures are expected to remain in place until the fire is brought under control, though no timeline has been provided by officials.
