A rapidly spreading wildfire near the Tahoe region has grown to about 2,500 acres, prompting evacuation warnings for California communities close to the Nevada state line.
Fire crews estimated the Hawk Fire at roughly 2,500 acres as of 3 p.m. Saturday.
Officials warned the blaze is moving quickly and may have expanded beyond that estimate.
The fire broke out northeast of Verdi in Washoe County, Nevada, approximately 30 to 40 miles north of the Lake Tahoe area.
Strong winds and dry conditions, including low humidity, have fueled the flames and accelerated their spread across the terrain.
Containment was still listed at 0%.
The growing wildfire threat has now put nearby California communities on alert.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office issued a “Get Set” evacuation warning for Zones E024 and E061, which include the Verdi and Long Valley areas along the California-Nevada border.
Residents in those areas are being told to prepare to evacuate as the fire continues to grow.
Across the border in Nevada, the threat has already triggered mandatory “Go Now” evacuation orders north of Verdi and northwest of Somersett.
With the fire spreading rapidly and the Tahoe region nearby, residents along the California-Nevada border are being urged to stay alert and be ready to leave.
