Helicopters Battle Fast-Spreading HawkFire Near Reno as Flames Consume Thousands of Acres

Helicopters were seen making repeated passes over the western flank of the fast-spreading HawkFire near Verdi, Nevada, as crews worked to slow the flames. Footage filmed by @gmillikan shows Sikorsky and other helicopters operating above the burning hills, with at least one aircraft seen dropping fire retardant over the wildfire. The HawkFire ignited northwest of Reno near Somersett on August 22 and rapidly expanded across the high desert terrain. Within hours, the blaze had burned more than 10,000 acres with no reported containment at the time. The wildfire prompted evacuations, closures along US 395, widespread power outages and a state of emergency as firefighters continued efforts to protect communities threatened by the advancing flames. Video Credit: @gmillikan