TL;DR

TL;DR: Households in northwest Reno and the North Valleys should treat the Hawk Fire as an immediate evacuation threat, check PerimeterMap for their zone, and use the Reno-Sparks Convention Center Hall 4 for shelter.

The Hawk Fire began before noon on Saturday, Aug. 22, as a 30-to-40 acre vegetation fire near Somersett in Reno, with structures immediately threatened, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties. That same reporting describes Incident Command information that the blaze started in the Somersett area and that smoke was visible from the fire. The City of Reno Government said in a Saturday, Aug. 22, update carried by KOLO in its report titled City of Reno Government updates Hawk Fire resources that Reno Fire Department units were on scene supporting Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District response. Residents were asked to follow perimetermap.com and emergencywashoe.com for updates, according to that city update.

By the afternoon of Aug. 22, the fire had grown to 2,500 acres with no containment in Washoe and Sierra counties, according to the National Interagency Fire Center as reported by KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties. The Sierra Booster Newspaper placed the origin off the Hawk Meadow Trail approximately one mile north of Cold Creek Trail in Somersett and reported 2,500 acres burned as of 4:10 on August 22, 2026. Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District crews were responding to the fire, with Reno Fire Department also deployed, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire burns more than 8,000 acres. That report said mutual aid included local, state, federal resources, air tankers and two helicopters, with a request for Cal Fire support initiated and unified command with the U.S. Forest Service-Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Where the fire started and how far it spread

Somersett origin

Incident Command information reported by KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties described a 30-to-40 acre vegetation fire in the area of Somersett in Reno on Saturday, Aug. 22. The Sierra Booster Newspaper described the location as off the Hawk Meadow Trail approximately one mile north of Cold Creek Trail, Somersett. KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties said structures were immediately threatened when firefighters first responded.

Growth across two counties

KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties said the fire exploded to 2,500 acres with no containment in Washoe and Sierra counties, citing the National Interagency Fire Center. The Sierra Booster Newspaper also reported 2,500 acres burned as of 4:10 on August 22, 2026. KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire burns more than 8,000 acres said Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District crews were responding and that the fire was moving northeast toward North Virginia Street between Seneca Drive and Copperfield Drive in Reno. That report said evacuations were in place and directed residents to follow http://perimetermap.com for evacuations since conditions can change rapidly.

Evacuation orders and warnings to know

Washoe County orders near Somersett and Verdi

New evacuations were in effect north and northwest of Somersett and north of Verdi, according to a Washoe County Sheriff's Office Facebook post reported by KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties. That office said the majority of the evacuation area was unpopulated, and that residents near the immediate area should remain alert and prepared, as conditions can change rapidly. The Sierra Booster Newspaper said evacuation orders were in effect in Washoe County. KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire burns more than 8,000 acres said residents in the area were encouraged to have a go-bag packed. Local fire officials urged residents in an evacuation site not to wait and to go immediately, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire forces evacuations and road closures in north Reno.

Warnings on the west side of US 395

Evacuation warnings were in effect on the west side of US 395 for Golden Valley, Lemmon Valley and Stead, according to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office post reported by KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties. For the most current evacuation zones, road closures, and incident updates, that office directed residents to monitor the Perimeter Map at https://perimetermap.com/data/142-162943-polygon. The City of Reno Government asked the public to continue to follow perimetermap.com and emergencywashoe.com for updates, according to KOLO in its report titled City of Reno Government updates Hawk Fire resources. The Regional Emergency Operations Center message carried by Emergency Washoe in its report titled Evacuations in place for Hawk Fire also directed residents to check www.PerimeterMap.com for evacuation zones.

Sierra County warning zones

The Sierra Booster Newspaper reported evacuation warnings for Sierra County at Level 2 for Zones SIE-E024 and SIE-E061. That newspaper listed an evacuation point at Evelyn Mount Community Center at 1301 Valley Road, Reno 89512 for those needing to evacuate. Washoe County later said The Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center was no longer the evacuation site for the Hawk Fire and that officials would open the Reno Sparks Convention Center instead, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire forces evacuations and road closures in north Reno. Emergency Washoe in its report titled Evacuations in place for Hawk Fire identified the later site as Reno-Sparks Convention Center Hall 4 located at 4590 S. Virginia St., Reno.

Road closures and traffic control

US 395 closure between Parr and Red Rock

As of 5:38 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, U.S. 395 was closed in both directions from Parr Boulevard to Red Rock Road in Reno due to the Hawk Fire, according to a Washoe County Sheriff's Office Facebook post reported by KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire forces evacuations and road closures in north Reno. The public was asked to avoid the area. Nevada State Police was assisting with traffic control and public safety services during the incident, according to an agency Facebook post on Saturday, Aug. 22, as reported in that same KOLO account.

Shelter routing and emergency access

Residents evacuating from areas north of Red Rock Road were told to use US 395 to travel north out of the area, according to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office as reported by KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire forces evacuations and road closures in north Reno. Southbound US 395 remained open for evacuation traffic in that account, with all off-ramps closed between Red Rock Rd. and Parr Blvd. and motorists told to remain on the highway as they traveled south toward Reno. The Nevada Department of Transportation said 395 southbound ramps were open between Stead Boulevard and Reno for evacuations, while northbound ramps from Parr Blvd. and Bordertown were closed, according to KOLO in that same report. Perimeter Map showed a road closure on Virginia Street between Red Rock and White Lake Parkway, according to that KOLO reporting. Residents were asked to avoid the area unless necessary and to allow emergency personnel room to safely continue response operations.

Where to shelter and what to do with animals

Reno-Sparks Convention Center Hall 4

Those needing to evacuate due to the Hawk Fire were told that Washoe County Human Services Agency, Allied Security, and American Red Cross of Nevada staff were ready at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center Hall 4 located at 4590 S. Virginia St., Reno, according to Emergency Washoe in its report titled Evacuations in place for Hawk Fire. That agency said to enter door 20F on the Kietzke side. The Red Cross was on hand to provide evacuees with blankets, food, and drinks, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire forces evacuations and road closures in north Reno. The Regional Emergency Operations Center message dated August 22, 2026 and carried by Emergency Washoe asked residents not to call 911 to ask about evacuations.

Pets and livestock guidance

Emergency Washoe in its report titled Evacuations in place for Hawk Fire said not to take pets to the evacuation center and to drop them off at Washoe County Regional Animal Services at 2825 Longley Lane. Washoe County warned that the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center was not open as an evacuation center, saying an event was using the space and there was no room for animals, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire forces evacuations and road closures in north Reno. That KOLO account said no alternative had been made available at the time of that update.

State emergency declaration and added resources

Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County as the Hawk fire spread rapidly and evacuation orders expanded, according to the Office of the Governor in its announcement titled Governor Joe Lombardo Declares State of Emergency for Hawk Fire in Washoe County. The governor said, "Please heed all warnings from local officials, evacuate immediately if you are ordered to do so." Under the declaration, all state agencies were directed to work through the Nevada Emergency Operations Center to supplement local efforts, according to that announcement. The governor said the state was working alongside local authorities and first responders to deploy every available resource to protect lives and safeguard communities.

Incident Command requested an additional 10 engines, two dozers and two hand crews from CAL FIRE, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties. KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire burns more than 8,000 acres said substantial resources had been diverted from the Bug Fire to help with the Hawk Fire. Reno police told residents not to call dispatch or 911 to report the fire and to refer to Perimeter Map for evacuation information, according to ThisIsReno in its report titled Extreme danger: West Reno Hawk Fire prompts evacuations. Emergency Washoe in its report titled Evacuations in place for Hawk Fire said 911 should only be used for emergencies.

Household readiness steps during rapidly changing zones

Check maps before calling

Check www.PerimeterMap.com for evacuation zones, according to Emergency Washoe in its report titled Evacuations in place for Hawk Fire. The City of Reno Government asked the public to continue to follow perimetermap.com and emergencywashoe.com for updates, according to KOLO in its report titled City of Reno Government updates Hawk Fire resources. Please check the perimeter map for exact parameters because it can constantly change, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties. Please do not call 911 to ask about evacuations, according to Emergency Washoe, which said 911 should only be used for emergencies.

Leave immediately when ordered

If you are in an evacuation site, local fire officials urged residents not to wait and to go immediately, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire forces evacuations and road closures in north Reno. People in upgraded order areas were urged to leave immediately, according to that same KOLO account. Residents near the immediate area should remain alert and prepared, as conditions can change rapidly, according to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office as reported by KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire explodes to 2,500 acres in Washoe and Sierra counties. Residents in the area were encouraged to have a go-bag packed, according to KOLO in its report titled Hawk Fire burns more than 8,000 acres.