Fast-growing wildfire near US Nevada-California border injures 6, forces 42,000 to evacuate
Los Angeles, Aug 24 (IANS) Authorities said that at least six people were injured and 42,000 were ordered to evacuate as a fast-growing wildfire spread rapidly toward Reno, a city in northwestern Nevada near the Nevada-California border.
The Hawk Fire, which began Saturday, has grown to more than 13,000 acres (about 53 square kilometers) so far and remained completely uncontained, fire officials said at a news conference Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency.
Officials added that the injured included three civilians and three first responders, and an additional 45,000 people were in the evacuation warning zone.
They also confirmed that several structures have been destroyed in the fire.
About 10,000 customers were without power in Washoe County on Sunday. Reno is the county seat and most populous city of Washoe County.
Officials said that extreme fire behavior has been observed, with wind-driven fire making significant runs through light, flashy fuels.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for Washoe County on Saturday night.
“This is an active and rapidly evolving situation, and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the direction of local officials,” Lombardo said in a statement. “The state is fully engaged, and we are working alongside local authorities and first responders to deploy every available resource to protect lives, safeguard communities, and keep Nevadans out of harm’s way.”
The governor warned again Sunday morning on social media that the fire is still “a rapidly evolving situation.” “Stay vigilant and keep yourself informed if you are in the affected areas,” the governor said.
Earlier in July, a wildfire burning in US Southern California exploded to nearly 2,700 acres (about 10.9 square kilometers) Saturday, forcing evacuations amid dangerous heat wave.
The blaze, dubbed the Summit fire, was reported at about 1 p.m. Friday local time in Llano, a small community near the Los Angeles and San Bernardino county line. It has been zero contained as of Saturday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
–IANS
int/rs