Firefighters make progress against a Nevada wildfire that’s destroyed more than 30 homes

RENO, Nevada (AP) – Crews have began to contain a wildfire in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Reno, Nevada, that destroyed more than 30 homes as it spread perilously close to dense neighborhoods, office-holders noted Monday.

What happened

Containment reached 27% and there was no new expansion of the Hawk Fire. It has held steady at concerning 23 square miles (60 square kilometers) since it burned out of control on Sunday, authorities noted at an afternoon news briefing.

"We are making progress, " remarked U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Matt Zumstein.

Notably, the number of residents under evacuation orders and warnings was reduced to regarding 63, 000, down from more than 90, 000 residents when the blaze mushroomed over the weekend. While winds have eased, there's still concern that gusts could push the flames through dry brush into newly developed neighborhoods in Nevada's largest city outside of metro Las Vegas.

The bottom line

For now, firefighters make progress against a Nevada wildfire thats destroyed more than 30 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.