Hawk Fire, Nevada

Hawk, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. CIMT (GB Team 6). Five miles north of Reno, NV. Grass, timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering, creeping and isolated torching. Structures threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.

August 27, 2026 at 2:06 PM Containment on the Hawk Fire has increased to 93%. Containment means that a wildfire is secured within a perimeter, not that it is out. Smoke may be visible as pockets of unburned vegetation on the interior of the footprint smolder. Even when a wildfire reaches full containment, heat can remain within the fire footprint. Fuels mitigation, fireline, and containment lines established by crews will help prevent the possible spread of interior pockets of heat under predicted weather conditions.

Today crews will continue mop-up, patrol, and line-strengthening operations on the north, south, and east of the fire perimeter. Heat may remain in structures damaged or destroyed by the fire. On the western portion of the fire, more water-handling equipment will be brought in to manage persistent heat in heavy fuels within timber stands. Crews will also begin suppression repair operations along contingency lines on the southeast side of the fire.

The public is invited to attend a Hawk Fire Community Meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at O’Brien Middle School (5000 Silver Lake Road Reno, NV 89506). Fire managers and local leaders will provide the latest information on the Hawk Fire, answer questions, and share available resources for residents. Affected residents and community members are encouraged to attend.

Weather remains an important concern today. Partly cloudy skies are expected with temperatures between 87 and 91 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 15–18%, and southwest winds increasing to 13–17 mph with gusts up to 28 mph during the afternoon. No wetting rain is expected. These warmer, drier and breezier conditions may increase fire behavior.

Crews will continue to closely monitor changing weather and fire behavior while working to secure the fire and protect nearby communities.

August 26, 2026 at 8:27 PM Fire behavior was minimal again on Wed. 8/26, with smoldering and creeping around the fire perimeter and in interior unburned islands of grass and brush.

August 26, 2026 at 11:25 AM Firefighters made significant progress yesterday, increasing containment while continuing to secure fireline around the perimeter. 

Today, crews will continue mop-up, patrol, and line-strengthening operations throughout the incident. In Divisions Foxtrot and Gulf (Western side), firefighters will continue working areas of heavier fuels where heat remains, including dead and down material and other pockets of interior heat. Crews are also evaluating suppression repair needs, including light repair work along contingency lines east of the fire. Fire managers will continue coordinating with cooperators regarding repopulation of evacuated areas as conditions allow. 

Weather remains an important concern today. Partly cloudy skies are expected with temperatures between 87 and 91 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 15–18%, and southwest winds increasing to 10–15 mph with gusts up to 27 mph during the afternoon. No wetting rain is expected. These warmer, drier and breezier conditions may increase fire behavior, particularly if fire escapes existing containment lines or if a new fire starts. 

Within the fire perimeter, firefighters expect to see smoldering in heavy fuels, stump holes and isolated unburned pockets. Occasional torching is possible in timber, particularly on the west side of the fire, but this activity is expected to remain well within the interior. 

Crews will continue to closely monitor changing weather and fire behavior while working to secure the fire and protect nearby communities. 

Evacuations and Closures: Some area, road and trail closures remain in effect. Travelers and residents should check current road and evacuation information before entering the affected area.  Authorities are asking the public to remain vigilant and be safe as fire suppression efforts continue in the area. The most current information and updates for evacuations and closures for the Hawk Fire can be found at Perimeter Map. Residents in affected areas should continue to follow evacuation information and direction from local authorities. 

Safety: Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are in place, please remember if you fly drones during a fire, we can’t safely operate air support which hinders suppression efforts and emergency response, putting the crews and public at risk. “If you fly, we can’t!” You can monitor current air quality through the AirNow.gov

August 25, 2026 at 7:52 PM Fire behavior was minimal on Tuesday, August 25 with smoldering and creeping around the fire perimeter. There was some moderate fire activity within the fire interior, in unburned islands of grass and brush with isolated torching in the timber.

Planned Actions Wednesday, 08/26: Crews will continue mop-up and active patrol operations to secure containment features and reduce the potential for slop-over or spotting. Crews will also continue to assess impacted infrastructure.

Refer to PerimeterMap.com for the most current evacuation information, road closures and changing conditions related to the Hawk Fire. With continued progress from firefighters and first responders, some evacuation zones have been downgraded. Residents returning to the area should continue to use caution, remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate if conditions change. Firefighters, law enforcement and other emergency personnel may continue working throughout the area.

The public can also follow the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for continued updates.

August 25, 2026 at 10:21 AM Great Basin Incident Management Team 6 arrived and assumed management of the incident from the initial response team. Firefighters continued to make progress, increasing containment of the fire to 27 percent. The Hawk Fire has significantly affected homes and community structures, and extensive work remains as damage assessment teams continue accessing impacted areas. The number of confirmed destroyed or damaged structures may rise as assessments progress. On the first day, the fire exhibited extreme behavior, moving approximately four miles in three hours and covering a total distance of six miles, contributing to the breadth of impacts now being evaluated. Critical infrastructure, including a threatened railway line and a communication tower, has also been affected. A full suppression strategy is being implemented to reduce or eliminate risk to communities, infrastructure, recreation sites, and natural and cultural resources. Incident strategies and tactics prioritize actions with the highest probability of success while minimizing risk to firefighters and the public. Although current suppression efforts and control features are limiting projected fire movement, forecasted winds and gusts over the next few days are expected to challenge containment lines.  

Fire Outlook and Weather: A low probability of thunderstorms and outflow winds are possible for the next few days. Continued critically dry fuels persist in the area with the possibility of continued elevated temps and seasonal afternoon southwest to west winds. 

Evacuations and Closures: Some area, road and trail closures remain in effect, including areas southbound off U.S. Highway 395 and a Forest area closure. Travelers and residents should check current road and evacuation information before entering the affected area.  Authorities are asking the public to remain vigilant and be safe as fire suppression efforts continue in the area. The most current information and updates for evacuations and closures for the Hawk Fire can be found at Perimeter Map. Residents in affected areas should continue to follow evacuation information and direction from local authorities. 

Safety: Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are in place, please remember if you fly drones during a fire, we can’t safely operate air support which hinder suppression efforts and emergency response, this puts the crews and public at risk. “If you fly, we can’t!” If you or a loved one is sensitive to smoke, stay indoors when possible until air quality improves. Monitor current air quality through the AirNow.gov

August 24, 2026 at 8:41 PM Due to suppression actions and control features, projected activity and movement is minimal unless the fire is impacted by outflow winds. Damage assessment is in the early stages and ongoing. Cost to date is a rough estimate only due to incident continuing to emerge. Injury/illness reported this operational period was due to an illness with an IMT member.

Weather concerns: Chance of thunderstorms with lightning and outflow winds are predicted for the next two shifts. Continued critically dry fuels persist with continued elevated temps with seasonal afternoon SW winds.

August 24, 2026 at 9:59 AM Firefighters made progress holding the fire despite the extreme fire behavior observed during the incident. Crews are working to keep the fire east of Dog Valley Road and south of U.S. Highway 395.On portions of the fire, crews are using handline and direct attack where conditions allow. Fire behavior was less extreme than anticipated in some areas, allowing crews to hold established lines and reposition resources to reinforce suppression efforts. Crews also successfully held line through areas of heavy timber, supported by extensive retardant use.

On the west side of the fire, firefighters are working to keep the fire out of Dog Valley and in flatter terrain. Crews working near the Somersett side of the fire constructed handline with support from helicopters. Firefighters are also working around a natural gas line within the fire area. Mountainous terrain, continuous fuels and dry conditions continue to challenge suppression efforts.

Fire Outlook and Weather: Over the next 12 hours, the fire is expected to continue making moderate- to highintensity runs in pockets of dense fuels. Over the next 24 hours, backing fire with periods of running fire behavior is possible where fuels, wind and topography align. Hot, dry and breezy conditions are expected to continue supporting active fire behavior over the next 48 hours. The fire has potential to spread northeast and northwest, and conditions remain dynamic and subject to rapid change. Critically dry fuels persist across the fire area. Elevated temperatures and seasonal afternoon southwest winds are expected to continue influencing fire behavior.

Area, road and trail closures are in effect, including a closure of U.S. Highway 395 and a Forest area closure. Roads will open as conditions allow. Travelers and residents should check current road and evacuation information before entering the affected area.

August 23, 2026 at 3:54 PM Hawk Fire incident command update:

Location of origin: Off Hawk Meadow Trail, approximately one mile north of Cold Creek Trail in the Somersett area, northwest of Reno, Nevada.

Fuels: Grass and brush

Cause: Human

Weather: Sunny skies will give way to partly cloudy conditions, with temperatures reaching 84–86 degrees. Minimum relative humidity will be 25–30%.

Southwest winds will start light at 3–7 mph, increasing to 7–10 mph late this morning. Afternoon gusts will develop after 11 a.m., with gusts of 15–20 mph expected. Winds could reach around 20 mph during the afternoon. These afternoon winds are expected to contribute to increased fire activity and drive fire movement today.

Operations: Goal is to keep the fire south of Cold Springs and North of Sommerset. Dozers plan to be utilized on the South and East portions of the fire to create a fuel break between fire and residential areas. Firefighters are actively engaged in point protection.

Smoke: Smoke from the Hawk Fire may impact communities and travel corridors. If you or a loved one is sensitive to smoke

Evacuations: Approximately 90,000 residents within the GET-SET and GO-NOW evacuation zones. Please do not call 911 for evacuation information. Keep 911 and emergency dispatch lines available for those experiencing an emergency.

Road Closures: US 395 is currently closed in both directions from Parr Boulevard to Red Rock Road as of August 23 at 9:30 a.m.

Current Road Closures:

• US 395 at Bordertown

• US 395 at Village Parkway

• US 395 at White Lake Parkway

• North Virginia Street at White Lake Parkway

• Northbound US 395 at Red Rock Road

• Southbound US 395 at Stead Boulevard

• Stead Boulevard at Matthews Street

• North Virginia Street at Panther Drive

• North Virginia Street at Parr Boulevard

• North Virginia Street at East Golden Valley Road

• Mae Anne Avenue at Somersett Parkway

• Del Webb Parkway at Somersett Parkway

• Robb Drive at Los Brisas Boulevard

• Lemmon Valley Drive at North Virginia Street

• Golden Vista Avenue at North Hills Boulevard

• East Golden Valley Road at Beckwourth Drive

• Red Rock Road at North Virginia Street

• Stead Boulevard at North Virginia Street

• Sharlands Avenue at Mae Anne Avenue

• Beaumont Parkway at Avenida de Landa

Please avoid the area and use alternate routes. Be aware of emergency vehicles and personnel working throughout the area.

For the most current road closures, evacuation zones and incident updates, please monitor the Perimeter Map:

Shelters:

Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Hall 4

4590 S. Virginia Street Access the evacuation center from Kietzke Lane and enter through Door 20F on the Kietzke side.

Small Animal Evacuations: Please do not bring pets to the evacuation center. Small animals can be taken to: Washoe County Regional Animal Services 2825 Longley Lane.

Large Animal Evacuations: Ironwood Event Center 5600 Whiskey Springs Road

Reno, NV 89510. Turn right into the second driveway. Please check in at the main office. Please drive slowly and safely.

NV Energy Outages:

For current outage information and preparedness resources, visit:

https://www.nvenergy.com/outages-and…/view-current-outages

August 23, 2026 at 3:42 PM Approximately 90,000 residents within the GET-SET and GO-NOW evacuation zones. Please do not call 911 for evacuation information. Keep 911 and emergency dispatch lines available for those experiencing an emergency. 

Fire is likely to spread northeast impacting multiple major thoroughfares, structures, businesses, infrastructure, in Stead NV.

For the most current road closures, evacuation zones and incident updates, please monitor the Perimeter Map: 

August 23, 2026 at 10:01 AM GB Team 6 has been ordered to the Hawk Fire.

Extreme fire behavior has been observed, with wind-driven fire making significant runs through light, flashy fuels. Evacuations are in place, along with a forest area closure and closure of U.S. 395.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect. Low relative humidity and persistent winds with gusts of 25–35 mph are concerns for the incident.

Planned Actions: Continue assessing point protection needs and identify opportunities for direct attack or indirect firing operations using road systems and dozer line. Assess infrastructure impacted during the first operational period.