Greer Fire Daily Update May 21, 2025: Suppression repair well underway as containment increases

Acres: 20,308 Start

Date: May 13, 2025

Location: Greer, AZ

Cause: Under Investigation

Personnel: Approximately 513

Fuels: Grass, Shrubs, Timber

Containment: 88 percent

Highlights: Mandatory evacuation orders were lifted Monday night as containment increases along the fire.

Operations: Yesterday, milder winds helped firefighters secure more of the fire’s eastern edge. As a result, additional containment has been reflected on the map, and fire managers remain confident that the fire will stay within its current footprint. Today, firefighters continue to patrol and mop up remaining hotspots, with a focus on Division Romeo in the southern section. Suppression repair is also ongoing along all edges of the fire, including chipping remaining debris left from line preparation during last week’s firing operations.

Weather: Gradual warming and drying is expected to continue over the fire for the next few days, with the warmest day of the period coming on Thursday. Winds will be weaker, with gusts to around 25 mph on Wednesday and Thursday.

Smoke: 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 briquettes and smoking.

Highway 260 is open in both directions. For updated travel information: az511.com

Evacuations: All GO evacuation status’ have been decreased to SET.

To check current evacuation statuses, an interactive evacuation map is available from the QR code below. https://linktr.ee/GreerFire

Safety: We encourage the public to remember that a temporary flight restriction has been issued over the fire area. It is illegal to fly drones within the area.

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Daily Update May 20th, 2025:

Evacuation levels downgraded, residents begin returning home

Acres: 20,308

Start Date: May 13th, 2025

Location: Greer, AZ

Cause: Under Investigation

Personnel: Approximately 676

Fuels: Grass, Shrubs, Timber

Containment: 55 percent

Highlights: All “GO” evacuation orders have been downgraded to “SET” status, lifting current restrictions and allowing residents to safely return to their homes.

Operations: Yesterday, another round of strong winds tested the fire’s containment, but all control lines remained secure thanks to the extensive efforts of firefighters working along the perimeter. Overnight, crews continued patrolling the fire lines and extinguishing visible heat sources to prevent any flare-ups.

Today, firefighters are initiating a suppression repair plan focused on rehabilitating dozer and hand lines that are no longer needed for containment. Crews and engines are also continuing interior mop-up operations extinguishing hot spots deeper within the fire area to reduce the risk of embers breaching containment lines and to strengthen control along the fire’s edge. A community meeting was broadcasted on the incidents YouTube page that includes many questions and answers regarding repopulation, forest closures, and current road closures. www.youtube.com/@greerfire2025

Weather: High pressure begins to build in over the region today, which will lead to several days in row of lighter winds but continued dry and warmer conditions.

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 briquettes and smoking.

Evacuations: All GO evacuation status’ have been decreased to SET. To check current evacuation statuses, an interactive evacuation map is available from the QR code below. 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.