Dramatic Footage Shows Wildfire Fast Approaching Reno in Nevada

Around 90,000 people have been urged to evacuate their homes due to a "human-caused" wildfire in Nevada, which has been burning since Saturday.

Flames were seen rapidly advancing down a hillside towards the Nevada city of Reno, growing to 23 square miles as the blaze spread across the Peavine Peak area of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest.

It's been named the Hawk Fire because it was first reported near the Hawk Meadow Trail, to the west of Reno.

Six people have been injured, including three civilians and three first responders, Shane Akerson from the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District explained.

Fire officials said the blaze has already scorched more than 15,000 acres and was 0% contained as of Sunday evening.

Governor of Nevada, Joe Lombardo, declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, which includes Reno and parts of Lake Tahoe.

“This is an active and rapidly evolving situation, and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant,” Lombardo wrote on X.

The Nevada National Guard was deployed to support aerial firefighting with two helicopter crews, as well as 60 troops.

About 1,000 personnel, including 800 firefighters, have been fighting the blaze, fuelled by strong winds, low humidity and dry conditions.

Officials said the wildfire was "human-caused", but how it started was still under investigation. There is no indication the fire was started intentionally.

On Sunday, 42,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes as the “GO NOW” warning zone expanded, reaching the edge of the University of Nevada. A further 45,000 in the neighbouring area were urged to leave as firefighters continue to tackle hot spots.

At least two medical centres have evacuated patients. Casinos and hotels in Reno, such as Silver Legacy Resort, are offering discounted rooms to those fleeing the Hawk Fire.

Authorities urged people to be prepared to stay away for several days, as shifting and strengthening winds could make the fire even more intense and unpredictable.

“Please get out if you can right now,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said.

It is not known how many homes have been destroyed. One resident, Cari Kieffer, saw a video posted on social media that showed her house had entirely burned down, leaving only a basketball hoop still standing.

“I woke up this morning and just started crying — all my kids, they lost everything,” Ms Kieffer said on Sunday.

“We lost all our stuff. Everything we own is gone,” she said.

Ms Kieffer had been watching her son's football game on Saturday when she learned her home was in the fire evacuation zone.

A fire tracking app lagged significantly behind the blaze's actual location, so she thought her home was safe when it was not.

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