Plumes of smoke seen over Reno as thousands evacuate due to wildfires
Tens of thousands of people have been told to evacuate from an area close to Reno, Nevada, as a large wildfire reached the outskirts of the city.
Around 42,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes immediately, with a further 45,000 people urged to get ready to leave.
The fire, which was first reported on Saturday morning, had so far injured six people, officials said. Windy and unpredictable weather conditions have contributed to its spread.
Nevada's Governor Joe Lombardo has declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and ordered the National Guard to join firefighting and law enforcement efforts.
"This is an active and rapidly evolving situation and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the direction of local officials," he said.
The fire was caused by humans and first reported at 11:15 local time (18:15 GMT) on Saturday, according to local officials.
The Washoe emergency information centre said around 15,000 acres (23 sq miles) had been burned.
It said that, as of Sunday lunchtime, no part of the fire's perimeter had yet been contained.
Around 13,700 homes were inside the evacuation area, local emergency services said, with two shelters set up to take in displaced residents.
Of the six injured, three were emergency responders fighting the fire.
Over the weekend, local officials described the fire as fast-moving, with windy weather and dry conditions contributing to its spread.
"The fire has definitely exploded in size," Lucia Starbuck, a local reporter for KUNR Public Radio, told the BBC.
"It's burning these dry desert hills with neighbourhoods at the bottom. We know some homes have been burned, we don't know the exact number yet."
The Nevada National Guard said 72 personnel, one Chinook and one Black Hawk helicopter had joined the response
