State of emergency called for Nevada as 10,000 flee wild fire that has engulfed 'at least 10 homes'

State of emergency called for Nevada as 10,000 flee wild fire that has engulfed 'at least 10 homes'

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Fire is the second winter blaze in the area in two months


Wind gusts of up to 82 mph pushed a fast-moving brush fire near Reno out of control Thursday as a wall of flames burned several homes, threatened dozens more and forced about 10,000 people to evacuate their neighborhoods.

Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez said more than 230 firefighters were battling the blaze, which had grown to nearly 5 square miles within hours and was eerily similar to another unusual winter fire that destroyed 30 homes in southwest Reno two months ago.

'Several' homes had been destroyed before nightfall Thursday, Hernandez said. He said he didn't know the exact number but told reporters 'the news is not good.'

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