By
HAVEN DALY and JOHN SEEWER
RENO, Nevada (AP) — A wildfire that mushroomed over the weekend in the Sierra Nevada foothills spread perilously close to neighborhoods in Reno, Nevada, forcing authorities to urge more than 90,000 residents to leave their homes.The out-of-control fire has already burned some homes, but there’s concern that shifting winds could push the flames into newly developed and densely packed neighborhoods on the edge of Nevada’s second-biggest city. Schools across the county were closed Monday because of the evacuations and to keep roads clear for emergency crews. Authorities said late Sunday that the Hawk Fire had stayed in its footprint and firefighters were extinguishing hotspots while working to keep the fire from jumping a main highway and reaching areas filled with homes and businesses. The fire began Saturday and grew to more than 23 square miles (60 square kilometers) on Sunday across foothills ringed by neighborhoods near the California state line. There was zero containment.
At least six people — three first responders and three civilians — were injured. Officials said the fire was “human-caused” but did not say whether it was intentionally set or accidental.Videos posted on social media showed the smoldering ruins of homes and cars, with only a scorched basketball hoop still standing.
