The flames started Saturday morning, and the wind pushed them toward the city. Now, thousands are packing their cars, hoping the fire does not catch them on the highway.
You wake up expecting a normal weekend. Then the sky turns brown, smoke fills your kitchen, and police tell you to grab your family and run.
That is the reality in Reno, Nevada. A human-caused wildfire broke out around 11:15 Saturday morning. Driven by wild, unpredictable winds, it quickly chewed through 10,500 acres of dry land. Firefighters have not been able to stop even one percent of it.
The fire is sitting right on the edge of the city. Local officials ordered 42,000 people to leave their homes immediately. Another 45,000 were told to pack their bags and get ready to run. In total, nearly 14,000 homes sit directly in the danger zone.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard to help fight the flames.
“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 warned.
The fire is already hurting people. Six people are injured, including three emergency responders who were out there trying to hold the line. Schools across the county are shutting down, and the roads are a mess of closures. Two local shelters are open for displaced families.
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Reno has about 280,000 people, sitting right on the California border. Locals are used to dry heat, but a fire moving this fast is completely different.
Helicopters are dropping water. Fire trucks are blocking streets. But when the wind shifts, the only real defense is getting in your car and driving away.
