What to know about the Greer Fire in eastern Arizona that has consumed 7,052 acres
A wind-driven fire that started on the west side of Country Road 1120 in Greer May 13 has grown to over 7,000 acres, according to InciWeb, a federal wildlife tracker.
The blaze continued to be fueled by high winds and drought-stricken fuels along with terrain challenges, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said in a Facebook post.
A "go" status was set residents south of State Route 260 and west of River Road, InciWeb said. All Eagar residents south of SR 260 between River Road and the SR 260/State Route 180 junction were in "set status."
More than 400 personnel were assigned to fight the fire including hotshot crews, hand crews, two state task forces of engines, local cooperator engines, water tenders, and dozers, the forestry department said.
Here's the latest information that evacuees need to know.
State Route 260 was closed in both directions between milepost 380 and milepost 394 near Greer, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
State Route 261 is closed from State Route 260 to the point of Pine Mountain, ADOT said.
There was no estimated time for reopening these highways. For real time traffic updates, drivers can visit AZ 511, download the AZ 511 mobile app or call 511.
Mandatory "go" evacuations were issued for residents south of SR 260 and west of River Road.
A "set" notification was initiated for all Eagar residents south of SR 260 and between River Road and the SR 260/180 junction. Residents were advised to be prepared to evacuate if necessary, according to a Facebook post by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
A shelter was opened at the Apache County Fairgrounds in St. Johns. The fairgrounds have the capacity to house small and large animals.
The Alpine Community has opened a shelter at a Community Center in Alpine. Cots, blankets and food were available for those who had been evacuated, according to Apache County Office of Emergency Management's website.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has activated a wildfire smoke forecast for the Greer Fire.
The ADEQ said Eagar and Springville residents could expect light to moderate impacts from wildfire smoke dispersing to the northeast.
The ADEQ added that light overnight smoke should impact areas adjacent to the fire site, and smoke will disperse to the east or northeast in the afternoon of May 15.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Greer Fire in eastern Arizona has now burned over 7,052 acres
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