'Human-caused' wildfire rips through major city in Nevada - as 90,000 residents told to flee

A fast-moving wildfire has destroyed a number of homes in northwest Reno, Nevada, as authorities urged some 90,000 people to evacuate.

The fire has burned through 13,000 acres (5,261 hectares) ​so far, officials said on Sunday, leaving at least six people - three first responders and three civilians - injured.

The fire was "human-caused", officials said, though no details were provided on whether it was accidental.

Reno, with more than 280,000 residents, is the largest city in Nevada outside of metro Las Vegas.

Officials first received reports of a fire off Hawk Meadow Trail ​at around 11.15am (18.15 UK time) on Saturday, said fire chief Richard Edwards.

⁠Firefighters on Saturday worked amid "extreme red flag conditions", he added.

Around 42,000 residents have been displaced or are in active evacuations, with a further 45,000 in "be prepared to evacuate" status as the Hawk Fire threatened ​northern Reno, local officials said on Sunday morning.

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Local TV footage showed flames approaching ​roads and eyewitness video showed smoke from the hills billowing ⁠over residential neighbourhoods.

Nevada governor Joe Lombardo ​declared a state of ⁠emergency late on Saturday in Washoe County, which includes Reno and parts of Lake Tahoe.

Mr Lombardo authorised the deployment of two National Guard helicopters to tackle the blazes and 60 National Guard personnel to support operations with ⁠the ​Washoe County Sheriff's Office, officials said. Also responding were 800 firefighters.

Almost 10,000 customers were without power in Washoe County on Sunday, down from 60,000 on Saturday. Sections of US Route 395, a major north-south highway, were shut due to the fire.

Months of dry weather and a record lack of snow the previous winter across the American West have created optimal fire conditions.

Earlier this month, wildfires in eastern Washington state forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area, while three wildfires north of Reno forced more than 13,000 residents from their homes.

(c) Sky News 2026: 'Human-caused' wildfire rips through major city in Nevada - as 90,000 residents told to flee