Earlier this week, a wildfire near Greer, Arizona, started growing really fast — like way faster than anyone thought it would. As of now, it’s already burned through about 3,500 acres. On May 13, officials told folks living in the South Fork and North Woods areas to evacuate. That call honestly couldn’t have come sooner, because the fire’s moving fast due to super dry conditions and strong winds. A few buildings have already been lost, and it all started on private land. Once the wind kicked in, the flames just took off. It’s one of those awful moments where everything sort of lined up to make things worse.
Greer’s Location Making Things Tough for Fire Crews
Greer is a tiny town tucked into the White Mountains in eastern Arizona — and when we say small, we’re talking like fewer than 60 people live there. It’s quiet, remote, and surrounded by a lot of forest. While that makes it a beautiful place, it’s also super hard to get in and out of — which is not ideal when there’s a wildfire tearing through. Emergency crews are having a hard time getting equipment and support into the area. Every minute counts with a fire like this, and the location’s just making everything harder than it already is.
Flights Halted, Roads Closed, and Shelters Set Up
Firefighters were using planes and tankers to fight the fire from above, but they had to stop flying around 2:20 p.m. because of the strong winds. It just got too dangerous. Some important roads have been closed, too — like State Route 260 between mileposts 385 and 393, and southbound lanes of State Route 373 heading into Greer. Those roads are gonna stay shut until things calm down. Meanwhile, shelters have opened up. The Red Cross set one up at Round Valley High School Dome in Eagar. People with RVs or animals are being sent to the rodeo grounds nearby. And if you live east of State Route 261, you’re being told to be ready to leave quick — just in case things get worse, which they still might.
