A state-wide emergency is declared in Nevada, as a wildfire rips through parts of Reno



A wildfire in the US state of Nevada has destroyed 25 homes and forced nearly 10,000 people to leave the area.

One man died fleeing his home and 16 have been hospitalised in a fire that spread over 2,000 acres (809 hectares).

The blaze has now been contained, authorities say, with intermittent snowfall helping to put out the flames.

On Thursday night, several wildfires in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range spread to Reno on the valley floor, fanned by strong winds.

The wind, with gusts of up to 60mph (97km/h), made it difficult to contain the fire and grounded firefighter helicopters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15801968