Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate from an area near Reno, Nevada, after a large wildfire reached the outskirts of the city.
Around 42,000 residents were instructed to leave their homes immediately while another 45,000 people were urged to prepare for evacuation. The fire, first reported Saturday morning at 11:15 local time, has burned roughly 10,500 acres and remains 0 % contained.
Injuries have been reported: six people have suffered injuries, including three emergency responders fighting the blaze.
Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and called in the National Guard to assist firefighting and law‑enforcement efforts. In a statement he urged residents to stay vigilant and follow local officials’ directions.
Over 13,700 homes lie within the evacuation zone, and two shelters have been set up for displaced residents. The National Guard has deployed 72 personnel, one Chinook and one Black Hawk helicopter to support the response.
All Washoe County schools will be closed on Monday, except one, and major road closures are in place. Reno, a city of about 280,000 people located near the California border, is the epicenter of the current crisis.
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