Evacuation orders for thousands due to wildfire on outskirts of Reno

A giant wildfire on the outskirts of the US city of Reno has led to evacuation orders for 23,000 residents.

The fire has claimed more than 15,000 acres of land, injured seven people and destroyed 32 homes, according to latest reports.

However, there is no mention of the impact to travellers on the Nevada Division of Tourism website.

An immediate "go now" evacuation zone and wider "get set" area - where people are being warned to prepare to evacuate - do not extend to the centre of Reno, but do affect large urban areas and part of a highway.

The Hawk wildfire is about 27% contained, authorities said on Monday afternoon local time.

Firefighters from Australia and New Zealand have been involved in the containment effort as well as crews from 15 US states.

The fire to the northwest of the Nevada’s second largest city was caused by humans and first reported at 11.15am local time on Saturday, according to local officials 

Investigators do not yet know if the blaze was set intentionally, according to chief Richard Edwards of the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.

He reportedly said seven injured people include four civilians and three firefighters, who suffered minor burns.

Reno is almost 450 miles away from Las Vegas and 218 from San Francisco.