Reno Wildfire Evacuees Seek Shelter and Clothing as Hawk Fire Rages

A fast-moving wildfire northwest of Reno has forced tens of thousands from their homes, with many arriving at evacuation centers with little more than the clothes on their backs. The Hawk Fire, which remains uncontained, has scorched over 15,000 acres and prompted evacuation orders for roughly 42,000 people, with an additional 45,000 under warning.

At the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, nearly 500 evacuees have taken shelter, while many more wait in the parking lot in cars, campers, and RVs. The American Red Cross is operating the shelter, and Goodwill has set up a donation center outside, offering clothing, shoes, and toys for displaced families.

Evacuees described harrowing escapes. Jon Hanbury, who has lived in his home since 1986, said the flames came close and smoke was thick, but he had no word on whether his house survived. "I'm just worried, makes it hard to sleep," he said, adding that he planned to use the shelter's showers and grab conditioner from his car.

Grace Ndolo recounted seeing flames before fleeing. "It was scary. We were in tears," she said, as she sorted through donated clothes. Tammy Joeckel recalled a sudden phone alert that sent neighbors scrambling into the smoky night. "It's unnerving to hear something in the middle of the night and you run outside and it's the National Guard," she said.

Karen Abbey, who left without any belongings, expressed gratitude for the donations and the chaplains who offered comfort. "What a blessing," she said, noting that a chaplain from New Jersey helped calm her when she realized she didn't have her medications.

Officials report that six people, including three first responders, have been injured. The fire is believed to be human-caused, though the exact origin remains under investigation. Dry fuels and strong, shifting winds have driven extreme fire behavior, and authorities have not yet indicated when residents might be allowed to return home.