Evacuations as wildfire nears US city

Authorities in Nevada urged tens of thousands of people to evacuate and ordered schools to remain closed on Monday as a fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire bore down on the western US city of Reno. Around 42,000 people have been forced to evacuate, and an additional 45,000 have been told to get ready to leave, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said. All but one school in Washoe County, where Reno is located, will remain closed on Monday, authorities said. The Hawk Fire began on Saturday and had grown to 15,051 acres (6,091 hectares) by Sunday evening, showing 'extreme fire behaviour,' according to InciWeb, a US government website that tracks fire activity. — AFP