A massive wildfire has broken out in Reno, Nevada, often referred to as the “second Silicon Valley,” forcing the emergency evacuation of 42,000 residents. According to the state of Nevada and local authorities on the 23rd, a wildfire started on the Hawk Meadow Trail in northwestern Reno the previous day and has now expanded to cover 13,000 acres (53 square kilometers).
The “Hawk Fire” has injured a total of six people, including three residents and three firefighters on the scene, and has completely destroyed several homes and buildings. Authorities issued an immediate “Go Now” evacuation order to 42,000 residents and a warning to prepare for evacuation to 45,000 others. Damage to major power transmission facilities caused power outages for up to 60,000 households at one point, and gas supplies were cut off in some areas. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo also declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, where Reno is located, and urgently deployed two National Guard firefighting helicopters and 60 troops to extinguish the wildfire and maintain order. However, containment efforts are proving difficult as the flames spread by constantly shifting direction due to strong gusts of wind.
The official containment rate is currently 0%. Fire authorities confirmed that the wildfire was caused by human factors rather than natural combustion, but declined to disclose specific details, citing that an investigation is currently underway. Reno, located on the border with California, is a city with a population of 280,000 situated near the resort town of Lake Tahoe. Recently, it has been called “the second Silicon Valley” as Silicon Valley billionaires, tech industry professionals, and startups have moved en masse to escape California’s high taxes and housing costs.