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🌱 Patch AM: How Reno’s rapid growth helped turn the Hawk fire into a crisis

Make time for The Black Feathers in Reno! on the Reno Patch calendar

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Friday August 28th Patch AM
Friday August 28th Patch AM (Terri M.)

Hey hey Reno! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Reno's rapid growth helped turn the Hawk fire into a crisis
  • How Reno hotels are juggling evacuees and incoming Burning Man crowds
  • Reno evacuees say hotel bills soared far beyond quoted "evacuee" rates

Also on today's calendar: The Black Feathers in Reno! and 8 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Terri M.!

Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A stray afternoon t-shower, with a high of 73 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Saturday: Warmer; breezy in the p.m., temps: high: 83, low: 51.
  • Sunday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 86 and low of 55 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

1. Reno became an affordable, booming destination. Fires show the limits of all that growth (charlotteobserver.com) — Reno's explosive growth into surrounding hills is colliding with wildfire reality as the Hawk fire has burned over 15,000 acres, destroyed dozens of homes, and forced more than 40,000 evacuations around Somersett and northwest Reno. Officials describe human-caused ignition, red-flag winds, and ongoing road closures, while experts warn that development in fire-prone scrubland demands tougher building standards and long-term community hardening.
   

2. Some Reno hotel-casinos still giving wildfire rates as Burners arrive (rgj.com subscription) — Reno hotel-casinos are still offering discounted rooms to Hawk Fire evacuees even as Burning Man visitors begin filling properties across Reno-Sparks. Availability varies widely between resorts, and demand could spike again as tens of thousands fly through Reno-Tahoe International Airport starting this weekend.
   

3. Reno-Sparks hotels charged Hawk Fire evacuees far more than quoted prices (rgj.com subscription) — Reno and Sparks evacuees from the Hawk Fire say some local hotels charged far more than the rates they were first quoted, despite Nevada's ban on price gouging during emergencies. Several residents describe unexpected bills and difficulty getting answers, and some plan to file complaints with the state.
   

4. Washoe 311 hotline offers answers amid uncertainty during Hawk Fire (2news.com) — If you're anxious or confused during the Hawk Fire, Washoe 311 is fielding a surge of calls from Reno-area residents needing evacuation details, pet help and reliable updates. With only three core staffers, the county has pulled in volunteers so callers can get answers without distracting firefighters and deputies working in the field.
   

5. Reno man arrested after undercover fentanyl probe; cash, pills and gun seized (mynews4.com) — A 27-year-old Reno man was arrested after a months-long undercover fentanyl investigation by regional narcotics teams, who say they seized pills, cash and a handgun from a home near South Virginia Street. Authorities also report finding suspected drugs in a child's bedroom, and the suspect now faces multiple drug, firearm and child-neglect charges.
   

📸 Around Reno

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📸 One of the planes fighting the fires in the north Valleys —Terri M. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Reno

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • During my morning walk along the Truckee River, I made a stop at Idlewild Park to hang out with some of the ducks.
    It was a quite morning and watching them was soothing to the soul. (Nextdoor Riverside)
  • Reece is still looking for her forever home.
    She is so sweet, smart, and truly an incredible animal. What some might like to call a good dog. (Nextdoor Old Northwest)
  • Employnet, Inc. posted a job opening for Shipping Clerk $18-$20 in Reno. Apply here.
  • Cost Plus, Inc. - World Market posted a job opening for Stock Associate in Reno. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Reno here.

Ok Reno! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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