Reno: Firefighters are making progress in containing a massive wildfire in western Nevada. Officials in the US state of Nevada announced that firefighting efforts are making progress in containing a massive wildfire that broke out in the foothills of the northwestern part of the state before spiraling out of control and spreading to populated areas near the town of Reno. The fire destroyed dozens of homes and forced authorities to issue tens of thousands of evacuation orders.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the fire consumed 60 square kilometers over the past two days before winds subsided, allowing firefighters to make progress and contain 27 percent of the blaze, Matt Zumstein, the area’s director with the US Forest Service, stated. The governor of Nevada declared a state of emergency, and schools throughout Washoe County were closed to clear roads for emergency crews. The National Guard was called in to assist with aerial firefighting and to provide security for evacuated neighborhoods.

Reno Mayor Hillary Schiff commented on the situation, stating, “The speed at which the fire spread was astonishing; the flames lit up the city’s sky in an unprecedented way,” leaving authorities fearing the worst despite the progress made. The National Interagency Fire Center reported that most areas of western Nevada are at increased fire risk this week due to low humidity and wind. The National Weather Service indicates that weather conditions in the region are conducive to wildfires over the next few days.