RENO, Nev. – A fast-moving wildfire driven by strong winds destroyed or damaged about 12 homes and buildings in a Reno neighborhood and forced the evacuation of hundreds more on the edge of the Sierra Nevada foothills, authorities said.
It was one of several blazes burning near the Nevada-California border. As many as 500 homes were threatened by the blaze that grew to more than two square miles (5.2 square kilometers) within hours of igniting in brush above the neighborhood, Reno Fire Chief David Cochran said late Tuesday.
The Reno Gazette Journal reported that one of its photographers saw at least five homes burn.There were no immediate reports of injuries, and the cause of the fire was under investigation.Winds gusting over 50 mph (80.