Reno area hit by another wildfire
Officials say thousands of people were evacuated and more than 20 homes were destroyed due to a fast-moving brush fire near Reno, Nevada, this week.
The flames, pushed by winds of more than 80 miles per hour, forced Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval to declare a state of emergency in the area and close part of a major highway near the fire. He also urged state workers who would commute on that road to stay home Friday. Nearly 4,000 acres of land has burned, with a cause still unknown.
"I tell you what, it was a disaster," Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez told The Reno Gazette-Journal. "This fire was totally wind-driven. It went through some subdivisions, and unfortunately, some structures were lost."
This latest fire comes on the heels of a similar blaze which destroyed 30 properties and led to numerous homeowners insurance claims back in November.
The fire also impacted a speech from Vice President Joe Biden. He was speaking at a local high school, but the talk was cut short as the school was evacuated ahead of the blaze.
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