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Nevada Justice Coalition Nevada is now asking the federal government to step in as Northern Nevada moves from the immediate battle against the Hawk Fire into what could become a long and difficult recovery. Governor Joe Lombardo has formally asked President Donald Trump for a Presidential emergency declaration tied to the Hawk Fire disaster. The request comes after state emergency officials determined that additional federal assistance could be critical for protecting affected communities, restoring damaged infrastructure and helping Nevada recover from the widespread impact of the fire.
If the White House approves the request, federal emergency resources could become available to Nevada on a more immediate basis. FEMA would also be authorized to help identify and deploy equipment, personnel and other resources needed during the recovery effort. State officials say preliminary damage assessments are still underway, meaning Nevada could seek additional federal assistance as the full extent of the destruction becomes clearer. The request follows an extraordinary week for the Reno area. The Hawk Fire grew rapidly after beginning near northwest Reno, driven by dry vegetation, strong winds and difficult terrain. At the height of the emergency, tens of thousands of residents were ordered or warned to evacuate, roadways were closed, power was disrupted and homes were destroyed. More than 800 firefighters and emergency personnel were deployed as crews fought to keep the flames from advancing farther into populated areas.
Nevada had already placed Washoe County under a state of emergency, directing state agencies to coordinate through the Nevada Emergency Operations Center and assist local authorities with life safety, property protection and emergency response. The formal state declaration noted that the Hawk Fire had burned more than 13,000 acres while threatening tens of thousands of homes in northwest Reno and Stead.
The human impact has been significant as well. Officials have reported injuries involving both civilians and firefighters, while families have faced evacuations, property loss and days of uncertainty. The fire has destroyed more than 30 homes, and damage assessments are continuing. This disaster also comes during an already difficult wildfire season for Northern Nevada.
The Hawk Fire was the third major wildfire to threaten the Reno region within roughly two weeks, placing enormous pressure on emergency agencies, firefighters and local residents. There are also concerns about what happens to residents after the flames are gone. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford has warned businesses against price gouging after his office received reports of possible excessive pricing in Hawk Fire disaster areas. Nevada’s emergency protections apply to necessities including lodging, food and gasoline, particularly important for families displaced from their homes.
The Nevada Office of Emergency Management has also established wildfire recovery resources and continues to direct residents to official incident information for changing evacuation, road and safety conditions. For the Nevada Justice Coalition, the recovery phase must remain focused not only on rebuilding structures, but also on making sure displaced residents, seniors, families with limited resources and others who may have difficulty navigating disaster assistance are not forgotten.
The request now places an important decision before the White House: whether to authorize additional federal support for a Northern Nevada community that has endured evacuations, injuries, destroyed homes, major infrastructure disruptions and now the difficult task of rebuilding. KNNR 103.3 FM, 97.3 FM, Faces of Success Radio and the Nevada Justice Coalition will continue following the Hawk Fire recovery and any decision regarding federal emergency assistance. Northern Nevada has survived the fire. Now comes the rebuilding.
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