Star Metro - Tens of thousands flee fire near US city of Reno

Schools were shuttered as smoke swathed the city in Nevada, near the California border, home to around 280,000 people.

Around 24,000 were still under evacuation orders on Monday, officials said, down from over 40,000 at its peak. Tens of thousands more have been put on alert and told to have bags ready to go at a moment's notice.

The Hawk Fire began on Saturday and had grown to over 15,000 acres (6,000 hectares) by Monday, but firefighters said they had corralled the blaze along 27 percent of its perimeter, some of which lies just five miles (eight kilometers) northwest of Reno.

No deaths have been reported, but seven people have been injured -- including three first responders. At least 32 properties have been completely destroyed and several others damaged.

Officials said they expected that number to rise as firefighters were able to get to the interior of the fire.

Truckee Meadows Fire Chief Richard Edwards told a press conference on Monday that the blaze was "human caused".

"We do not know if it was intentional or unintentional. So the investigators are still working through that right now. More than likely, this fire will be classified as undetermined."

More than 900 firefighters were tackling the blaze, using fire engines, helicopters and bulldozers, in an effort to clear the tinder-dry brush. Teams from Australia and New Zealand were among those taking part in the effort, alongside colleagues from all over the United States.

Edwards earlier urged people to be ready to evacuate immediately when told to do so.

"If you have been told to evacuate, please don't wait!" Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said.

S.Belanger--SMC