Greer Fire Burns 3,500 Acres, Forces Evacuations in Arizona

A fast-growing wildfire in the remote Arizona town of Greer has burned through 3,500 acres, forcing emergency evacuations and prompting a statewide response.

Communities Urged to Evacuate 🚨

On May 13, authorities issued a mandatory "go" evacuation order for the South Fork and North Woods communities after the fire spread rapidly through heavy vegetation. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management confirmed that several structures have been destroyed.

The fire began on private land and quickly intensified due to strong winds and dry conditions in the area.

Greer’s Location and Fire Risk

Greer, a small town with just 58 residents as per the 2020 census, is located in eastern Arizona’s White Mountains. It lies within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and is relatively remote, which has complicated response efforts.

Emergency Response and Road Closures

State and local officials deployed large air tankers and other firefighting aircraft to control the blaze. However, operations were halted around 2:20 p.m. due to high winds.

As a safety measure, several roads have been closed:

• State Route 260 between mileposts 385 and 393

• Southbound lanes of State Route 373, which leads directly into Greer

These closures are expected to remain in place until fire conditions improve.

The low that has cooled us down is centered over Nevada. This low has also led to our widespread breezy and windy conditions. In this satellite loop you can see convective clouds closer to the low pressure system. You can also see the #GreerFire in eastern AZ. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/UwfXmLqf1j

— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) May 14, 2025

Evacuation Centers and Public Safety Alerts

The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation shelter at Round Valley High School Dome in nearby Eagar. Evacuees with RVs or livestock are being directed to the Round Valley Rodeo Grounds.

According to the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System, residents within a 1-mile radius east of State Route 261 should consider themselves under "set" status. This means they must be ready to evacuate immediately if conditions worsen.

Government Response and Emergency Declarations

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her concern on social media, stating she is "deeply grateful for our brave firefighters" and thinking of all impacted residents.

In response to the worsening conditions, the mayors of Eagar and Springerville signed a joint emergency declaration. This order prohibits all forms of outdoor burning and smoking until further notice.

Stay Updated and Stay Safe

Residents are urged to follow official updates through local emergency systems and avoid the affected areas. Fire crews are working to contain the blaze, but shifting winds and dry terrain continue to pose challenges.

📌 Tip:
Sign up for local emergency alerts and keep an emergency kit ready during wildfire season.