Firefighters in Reno, Nevada have made significant progress in containing a wildfire that has ravaged more than 30 homes in the Sierra Nevada foothills since Saturday. The Hawk Fire, now at about 23 square miles (60 square kilometers), has been held steady for over 24 hours and is reportedly 27% contained, according to U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Matt Zumstein. While the number of people under evacuation orders has been reduced from over 90,000 to approximately 63,000, concerns persist about potential wind gusts pushing flames through dry brush and into newly developed neighborhoods. Authorities have declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, mobilizing the National Guard for aerial firefighting and protecting evacuated neighborhoods northwest of downtown Reno. At least 32 homes have been destroyed, with six more damaged, but the numbers are expected to rise as assessment teams survey the affected areas. The fire's rapid spread had Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve fearing for the worst, with the blaze reminiscent of "nothing I’ve seen before." Schools across Washoe County have been closed due to evacuations and to keep roads clear for emergency crews. This is the third large wildfire in the area north of Reno in the past two weeks, all caused by human activity. The cause of the Hawk Fire remains undetermined, although fire officials suspect it may have been intentionally set or accidental. Reno, home to about 280,000 people and known for its casinos and proximity to nearby Lake Tahoe, is also southwest of Nevada's Black Rock Desert, site of the annual Burning Man festival that begins next Sunday. Organizers have asked attendees to avoid taking hotel rooms and resources away from fire evacuees while being mindful of closures. Many residents who lost their homes in the wildfire had little time to evacuate after the fire exploded in size, leaving them to grapple with the devastating consequences.