Reno wildfire: Tens of thousands told to evacuate as Hawk wildfire approaches Nevada – live updates
Summary
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Nearly 90,000 people have been urged to evacuate their homes as a large wildfire approaches Reno, Nevada
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The fire, which officials say was caused by people, was first reported on Saturday and windy conditions have contributed to its spread
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A state of emergency has been declared in Washoe County, north-west Nevada, as Governor Joe Lombardo calls it an “active and rapidly evolving situation”
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Officials say six people have been injured, including three emergency responders, and around 15,000 acres (23 sq miles) have been burned
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Wildfires are common in south-western US states, including Nevada, but many of these fires develop in rural and less populated areas
Are you affected?
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Scorched land and smoke plumes in Nevadapublished at 13:19 BST
Image source, ReutersImage caption, Smoke rises on the hill close to these houses in Reno, Nevada
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Emergency responders have been tackling the blaze, which has scorched around 15,000 acres (23 sq miles)
Image source, ReutersImage caption, In Washoe County – where this picture was taken on Sunday – a state of emergency has been declared
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‘Active and rapidly evolving situation’: Nevada governor declares state of emergencypublished at 13:14 BST
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo
In Washoe County, in north-west Nevada, the US state’s governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency on Saturday.
In a statement, Lombardo said: “I have declared a state of emergency in Washoe County as we respond to the Hawk Fire, which is spreading quickly and threatening homes and structures.”
He told residents to “heed all warnings from local officials” and evacuate as soon as they are told to do so.
“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,” the governor added.
“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.”
Image source, Reuters/Nevada National GuardImage caption, The Nevada National Guard said 72 personnel, one Chinook and one Black Hawk helicopter had joined the response
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Wildfire approaches Reno, Nevada, as nearly 90,000 urged to evacuatepublished at 13:13 BST
Kieran Kelly
Live reporter
Image source, ReutersImage caption, A Nevada National Guard helicopter drops water on the Hawk Fire in Reno
Tens of thousands of people have been urged to leave their homes in Reno, Nevada, as a large wildfire apporaches.
The blaze, which has been named Hawk Fire, was first reported on Saturday and windy conditions have contributed to its spread.
Some 42,000 people have been instructed to evacuate their homes immediately, while another 45,000 residents have been advised to prepare to leave.
Six people have been injured including three emergency responders, officials say, and around 15,000 acres (23 sq miles) have been burned.
Nevada’s Governor Joe Lombardo has declared a state of emergency in Washoe County – in the north-west of the US state – and ordered the National Guard to join firefighting and law enforcement efforts.
Lombardo says the fire – which officials say has been caused by people – “is an active and rapidly evolving situation”.
We’ll bring you the latest updates throughout the day, stay with us.
Original source: https://www.bbc.com/
