Washoe County Sheriff's Office

Washoe County Sheriff's Office Northern Nevada's only full service law enforcement agency. Emergency? Call 911.Crime reports are not accepted via social media.

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Burning Man is here, bringing increased traffic through Washoe County, particularly in the Empire and Gerlach communitie...
08/31/2026

Burning Man is here, bringing increased traffic through Washoe County, particularly in the Empire and Gerlach communities.

Our deputies proudly serve these communities year-round, and as thousands of travelers make their way through the area during Burning Man, we’re asking everyone to help keep our residents, event-goers and roadways safe by following a few important reminders:

▪Follow posted speed limits, especially when traveling on State Route 447 to the event.
▪Do not park in driveways or roadways, or block access for residents and emergency vehicles.
▪Properly secure cargo, trailers and anything being transported with your vehicle.
▪Respect Nevada’s public lands and surrounding communities by disposing of trash properly.
▪Obey the law. Traffic laws, including those related to impaired and reckless driving, will be enforced.

Whether you’re headed to the playa, making your way home or simply passing through, give yourself extra time, stay alert and take care of one another along the way.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office wishes everyone safe travels and a safe week ahead.

08/30/2026

WCSO deputies have been busy across Washoe County this week. In addition to supporting the response to another wildfire in our region, they have continued handling numerous incidents and enforcement activities, including multiple DUI and narcotics-related cases.

No matter what the next call brings, our deputies remain out in our communities, working around the clock to help keep Washoe County safe.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere gratitude to the Guy Fieri Foundation for bringing its mobile kit...
08/28/2026

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere gratitude to the Guy Fieri Foundation for bringing its mobile kitchen to the Sheriff’s Office and providing meals for first responders following several demanding weeks of wildfire response across our region.

“We are incredibly thankful to Guy Fieri and the Guy Fieri Foundation for their generosity and commitment to our first responders. This thoughtful gesture provides an opportunity for our first responders, partner agencies and our tremendous volunteers to come together and share a meal after weeks of working side by side to protect our community. We are truly grateful for their support.” — Sheriff Darin Balaam

Guy Fieri Guy Fieri Foundation

08/28/2026

Operational Update for August 28th, 2026

08/28/2026

Hawk Fire Community Meeting - August 27, 2026

08/28/2026

Quick Facts Update- August 27, 2026

Update on  - August 27, 2026
08/27/2026

Update on - August 27, 2026

Update on
August 27, 2026

Acres: 15,085
Containment: 93%
Start Dates: August 22, 2026
Cause: Human
Total Personnel: 570
Total Resources: 13 crews | 39 engines | 7 helicopters | 8 dozers
Fuels: Tall grass, brush and timber
Location: Northwest of Reno, Nevada

Summary: Containment on the Hawk Fire has increased to 93%. Containment means that a wildfire is secured within a perimeter, not that it is out. Smoke may be visible as pockets of unburned vegetation on the interior of the footprint smolder. Even when a wildfire reaches full containment, heat can remain within the fire footprint. Fuels mitigation, fireline, and containment lines established by crews will help prevent the possible spread of interior pockets of heat under predicted weather conditions.

Today crews will continue mop-up, patrol, and line-strengthening operations on the north, south, and east of the fire perimeter. Heat may remain in structures damaged or destroyed by the fire. On the western portion of the fire, more water-handling equipment will be brought in to manage persistent heat in heavy fuels within timber stands. Crews will also begin suppression repair operations along contingency lines on the southeast side of the fire.

The public is invited to attend a Hawk Fire Community Meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at O’Brien Middle School (5000 Silver Lake Road Reno, NV 89506). Fire managers and local leaders will provide the latest information on the Hawk Fire, answer questions, and share available resources for residents. Affected residents and community members are encouraged to attend.

Weather remains an important concern today. Partly cloudy skies are expected with temperatures between 87 and 91 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 15–18%, and southwest winds increasing to 13–17 mph with gusts up to 28 mph during the afternoon. No wetting rain is expected. These warmer, drier and breezier conditions may increase fire behavior.

Crews will continue to closely monitor changing weather and fire behavior while working to secure the fire and protect nearby communities.

Evacuations and Closures: The most current information and updates for evacuations and closures for the Hawk Fire can be found at Perimeter Map. Authorities are asking the public to remain vigilant and be safe as fire suppression efforts continue in the area. Residents in affected areas should continue to follow evacuation information and direction from local authorities.

Safety: Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are in place, please remember if you fly drones during a fire, we can’t safely operate air support which hinders suppression efforts and emergency response, putting the crews and public at risk. “If you fly, we can’t!” You can monitor current air quality through the AirNow.gov

Photo: Hand crews from Slide Mountain and Miller Timber perform mop-up on hotspots in timbered sections in the northwest corner of Peavine Peak on Wednesday, August 26th. Photo by Dave Walsh.

08/27/2026

Keeping firefighting aircraft safely in the air has been another important part of the response to the Hawk Fire.

Over the last several days, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies have used drone detection technology to identify and locate numerous drones operating within the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone.

Every unauthorized drone in restricted airspace has the potential to interrupt aerial firefighting operations and create a safety risk for pilots and crews in the air, as well as those working on the ground.

By identifying unauthorized drone activity, deputies are helping keep the airspace clear so our fire partners can safely continue their work protecting our community.

If you fly, they can’t.

08/27/2026

Operational Update for August 27th, 2026

Update on the  Most areas previously under red “Evacuate Now” status including those on the west side of US 395 have now...
08/26/2026

Update on the

Most areas previously under red “Evacuate Now” status including those on the west side of US 395 have now been downgraded, allowing residents to return home.

All Hawk Fire related road closures are also being lifted. Residents returning to the area should continue to use caution, as firefighters, law enforcement, utility crews and other emergency personnel may still be working throughout impacted areas.

The public is also reminded to stay out of burned areas and avoid hiking or recreating within the fire footprint. These areas may still contain hazards, and emergency crews continue to work in and around the affected areas.

Utilities, including power, may remain unavailable in some locations as NV Energy crews continue restoration efforts.

Please continue to refer to PerimeterMap.com for the most current evacuation information, road closures and changing conditions related to the Hawk Fire.

For information about what to know when returning home, visit:
https://www.emergencywashoe.com/fire/6970/

Nevada State Police

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911 E Parr Boulevard
Reno, NV

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