Story perspectives

Lombardo Declares Emergency as Hawk Fire Spreads, Power Cut

8/23/2026

Summary

Lombardo Declares Emergency

Governor Joe Lombardo declared a Washoe County emergency as the Hawk Fire spread.
The Hawk Fire burned 10,523 acres and remained 0% contained.
About 400 local, state and federal personnel fought the blaze.
Evacuation orders covered six neighborhoods, affecting roughly 6,000 residents.
NV Energy cut power to up to 60,000 customers in northwest Reno and North Valleys.

Summary

Balaam Monitors Jail

Sheriff Darin Balaam said the jail is being closely monitored for fire threats.
He assured families that inmate and staff safety remains the top priority.
Officials are coordinating with fire and emergency partners to prepare a possible jail evacuation.
Governor Lombardo’s emergency declaration activates all state agencies through the Nevada Emergency Operations Center.
State agencies will operate through the Emergency Operations Center until the Hawk Fire is contained.

History

Historical Context

The 2003 Cedar Fire, named for California’s native Port Orford-cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), recalls cedar wood’s long human value—records note demand since the Epic of Gilgamesh, over 4,000 years ago. This historic significance underscores why cedar-rich forests, like those burned in Nevada’s 2024 Hawk Fire, are central to contemporary wildfire effective response.

1 of 3

Lombardo Declares Emergency

Governor Joe Lombardo declared a Washoe County emergency as the Hawk Fire spread.
The Hawk Fire burned 10,523 acres and remained 0% contained.
About 400 local, state and federal personnel fought the blaze.
Evacuation orders covered six neighborhoods, affecting roughly 6,000 residents.
NV Energy cut power to up to 60,000 customers in northwest Reno and North Valleys.

1 / 3