Greer Fire Daily Update May 17th, 2025:

Successful firing operations aid in securing the fire edge

Acres: 15,985Start Date: May 13, 2025 Location: Greer, AZ

Cause: Under Investigation Personnel: Approximately 490 Fuels: Grass, Shrubs, Timber Containment: 0 percent

Highlights: Firefighters’ hard work over the past several days will be tested by higher winds today and tomorrow.

Operations: Control lines continued to hold near Greer as firefighters reinforced the fire’s western edge. Firing operations south of HWY 260 on the north end of the fire, as well as at the intersection of 260 and 261 along completed dozer lines, were successful in limiting the fire’s spread to the north and northeast yesterday. Aerial resources were active on the eastern edge of the fire, supporting ground crews by slowing growth. Yesterday evening, firefighters finished prepping along 261 working south and began firing operations, continuing their efforts throughout the night. Today, firefighters are working to secure all completed holding lines, while aircraft continue to assist with water drops as weather conditions allow. Due to inaccessible terrain and limited holding features on the southern edge of the fire, firefighters are using aircraft to limit spread and scout for potential areas to hold the fire and tie in existing lines.

Operational updates will be posted to the incidents Facebook page mid-morning daily for more detailed tactics and operational plans.

Weather: Fire personnel are preparing for a red flag warning issued for this morning with critical fire weather today and tomorrow, as stronger winds with gusts to 35 and lower humidities are forecast.

Smoke: Updated smoke forecast at https://www.azdeq.gov/wildfire/forecast/greerfire

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. There is an interactive evacuation map linked below in the QR code link tree.

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.comSafety: A temporary flight restriction has been issued over the fire area. It is illegal to fly drones within the area.

Firing operations on the north end of the fire have been successful throughout the day and will continue overnight. Fire spread east of Highway 261 has remained minimal, as firefighters hold the line with support from aerial water drops. Fire has not spread north of 260 and has held because of the firing operations. On the west side near Greer, containment lines are holding well, and crews are working to cool remaining hot spots. Some fire activity continues on the southern edge, where aerial resources are being used to cool the area while firefighters prepare additional containment lines further south, away from the fire’s edge.

Photo: Type 1 helicopter filling water from Greer Lakes today to support ground crews’ efforts.

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.