Greer Fire Daily Update: May 16th, 2025

Lighter winds aid aerial response to Greer Fire

Acres: 12,615

Start Date: May 13, 2025

Location: Greer, AZ

Cause: Under Investigation

Personnel: Approximately 519

Fuels: Grass, Shrubs, Timber

Containment: 0 percent

Highlights: Firefighters work day and night ahead of expected stronger winds this weekend.

Operations: Containment lines held near Greer as firefighters focused on mopping up hot spots and reinforcing the fire’s western edge. Yesterday a small, strategic firing operation near Fish Canyon helped stop further spread where the fire had crossed the Little Colorado River. On the northeast side, crews conducted firing operations along Udall Road and Highway 261 while building contingency dozer lines to slow potential northern movement. Some fire did cross east of Highway 261 but was met with aggressive aerial and ground suppression. More than 100 homes south of Eagar were assessed for fire risk, and structure protection planning is underway. Today, fire crews are reinforcing containment lines. Mop-up operations are underway on the western flank, while on the northern edge, crews are constructing contingency dozer lines and preparing for potential firing operations if needed to strengthen control. Structure protection teams are actively assessing homes south of Eagar and implementing protection strategies in the event the fire moves into those areas. Aerial operations were critical throughout the day yesterday, including bucket work from helicopters, scooper drops, and new retardant lines on the southeastern flank. Two additional Type 1 helicopters are expected to arrive today to strengthen air support and firefighters will continue utilizing multiple aircraft along all divisions of the fire.

Weather: Similar weather is expected today, with even drier air and gusts around 25 mph. Fire managers are preparing for near-critical fire weather this weekend, as stronger winds and lower humidity are forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

Smoke: Today smoke will be similar to yesterday and disperse to the northeast with light to moderate impacts to Eagar and Springerville.

Closures: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has issued a closure order for parts of the National Forest lands. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are also in effect, prohibiting fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes and smoking. Evacuations: The Apache County Sheriff’s Office has issued multiple evacuation orders. GO: Greer, South Fork, and residents west of Highway 261. Eagar, south of HWY 260 and West of River Road SET: All Eagar residents south of State Route 260 and between River Road and the SR260/180 junction. All residents south of SR 260, north of Forest Service Rd 85, and between Water Canyon Rd and US-191/180 and all residents north of SR 260 and west of Burk Rd, this includes residents in Springerville, AZ that are west of US-191.Shelter for evacuees are open at the County Fairgrounds in St. Johns and the Alpine Community Center.

Highway 260 is closed in both directions near Greer. For updated travel information: az511.com Safety: A temporary flight restriction has been issued over the fire area. It is illegal to fly drones within the area.

The Greer Fire is burning southwest of Eagar/Springville. ADEQ plans to place a temporary monitor in Eagar/Springerville later today. When deployed, the data will be available at ADEQ Portable Particulate Monitor Website.

This morning, smoke has settled in the Eagar/Springerville area, with the heaviest impacts expected until 9 am.

Smoke is expected to disperse to the northeast throughout the afternoon with moderate impacts to Eagar/Springerville. Overnight smoke will settle into low-lying areas adjacent to the fire with light to moderate impacts to Eagar/Springerville, especially the western and southern side of Eagar.

Tomorrow, smoke will disperse to the northeast with moderate impacts to Eagar/Springerville.

May 15th, 2025 Greer Fire Update 1700

The Greer Fire has grown to approximately 9,508 acres, fueled by wind, dry conditions and active fire behavior. A variety of aerial firefighting resources—including Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters, scoopers, and heavy air tankers are actively working the incident. Suppression efforts are concentrated south of the Little Colorado River and along the eastern flank, where the fire has crossed Highway 261. Heavy air tankers have begun laying retardant lines along the fire’s eastern edge near Highway 261 to slow its progression.

Structure protection groups assessed around 100 homes south of Eagar today to develop site-specific protection plans should the fire continue pushing east and northeast. Fire crews are also constructing and reinforcing contingency lines east of Highway 261 as a precaution against potential fire spread.

Additional resources, including helicopters, hotshot crews, and engine strike teams, have been ordered to support suppression operations during tomorrow’s operational period. Night operations will be staffed with multiple hotshot crews and engines to continue securing the fires edge.

A community meeting will be held tonight at 6:00 p.m. MST at the Round Valley High School auditorium and streamed live on Facebook on the Greer Fire 2025 page at https://www.facebook.com/GreerFire2025 to provide the latest updates and answer questions from the public.

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