Nevada’s Hawk Fire Has California Teams Ready For Calls To Assist

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Local fire crews are poised and ready for any calls for assistance to help fight the Hawk Fire burning near Reno, Nevada.

In just two days, the Hawk Fire has rapidly spread to an area of 15,000 acres in Washoe County, Nevada.

90,000 residents have been issued evacuation orders or warnings, and Nevada governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County.

Three civilians and three first responders have been hurt so far, but there are no reported fatalities at this time.

In the wake of the governor’s declaration of emergency conditions, Washoe County cancelled classes for its local schools today.

Multiple structures and vehicles have been destroyed and the power is out for thousands in the vicinity.

The cause is currently under investigation but fire officials say it appears people started the fire.

Over 800 personnel are battling the wildfire, including local hand crews as well as engines, aerial resources and bulldozers, some of which has been provided by Cal Fire.

“The fire started and quickly gained in size,” says Robert Foxworthy, Cal Fire Public Information Officer. “So they sent the closest resources that were available. So majority of the resources that are currently assigned to the Hawk Fire are all local Cal Fire resources to that area. So the Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit, Tehama-Glenn, Lassen-Modoc.”

Cal Fire officials say many of their out-of-state assets have just returned from other fires in Washington and Oregon, but have not received any calls for assistance from Nevada.

Local officials say multi-state fire responses such as this are growing in size and frequency, so local teams are ready to respond should the call come in.

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