Latest news with #SouthwestAreaIncidentManagementTeam
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Greer Fire is 20K acres and growing: What to know about the blaze that's 0% contained
The Greer Fire burning in eastern Arizona was at 20,833 acres and still uncontained the evening of May 18, according to InciWeb, a federal tracker. Control lines held through the wind during the day, the government Facebook page Greer Fire 2025 posted May 18. Smoke was visible, and there was some growth in acreage, but this was mostly due to areas of unburnt fuels within the existing fire perimeter being consumed, the page said. The cause of the blaze that began May 13 was under investigation but had burned grass, shrubs and timber, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team said. Almost 800 people were assigned to fight the fire, as of May 18. Here's what to know about efforts to contain the almost week-old Greer Fire. On May 16, the Apache County Sheriff's Office issued mandatory "go" evacuation orders for residents in Eagar, Greer, South Fork and all areas west of State Route 261. Eagar residents located south of State Route 260 between River Road and the SR 260/U.S. 180 junction — directly east of the fire — were included in the evacuation area. The fire had crossed east over State Route 261. The latest Greer Fire evacuations could be seen on an interactive map provided by the National Interagency Fire Center. Shelter for evacuees were open at the County Fairgrounds in St. Johns and the Alpine Community Center. Blankets and food were available for those who had been evacuated, according to the Apache County Office of Emergency Management website. Major highways in eastern Arizona remained closed due to the fire until further notice, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. State Route 260 was closed in both directions between mileposts 380 and 395. State Route 373's southbound lane was closed between mileposts 385 and 390. State Route 261 was closed in both directions between mileposts 394 and 412. Crews were expected to continue to patrol and mop up hotspots along the control lines to prepare for incoming weather, the Greer 2025 page confirmed. Gusty winds, dry fuels and low humidity will lead to the potential for rapid spread of new or existing fires, according to the National Weather Service Flagstaff office. Hazardous crosswinds were possible with reduced visibility due to blowing dust and sand in much of the northern part of the state, but strongest in east central Arizona, the weather service said. There was a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms on May 19, mainly in northeast Arizona, the weather service said. Red flag warnings were in effect through May 19 for portions of eastern Arizona, according to the National Weather Service office in Phoenix. Lighter winds were expected on May 20. A public meeting will be hosted by the incident management team at 6 p.m. on May 19 at the Round Valley High School auditorium. Local safety and fire officials will share the latest information on the Greer Fire. The meeting will also be broadcast live on YouTube. The Republic's Olivia Rose contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Greer Fire in eastern Arizona burns more than 20K acres: What to know
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Greer Fire: What to know about Arizona wildfire as it spreads to over 18,000 acres
Firefighters held containment lines around the Greer Fire on May 17, which had burned a total of 18,617 acres by the end of its sixth day. Though that marked an increase of nearly 3,000 acres from the previous day, the fire has not grown into a massive event like the 2011 Wallow Fire, which scorched more than half a million acres in the same region. Crews continued to protect structures and hold the fire back, despite facing strong wind gusts expected to persist for several more days. An afternoon update on social media by the Southwest Area Incident Management Team reported that "all lines have held, despite the increased winds and crews are reporting that things are looking good around the fire." The good news for area residents came after Gov. Katie Hobbs visited the area and, earlier in the day, declared a state of emergency that will release $200,000 in state funds to the firefighting effort. High winds have fueled the Greer Fire from the beginning, leaving communities like Greer, Eagar and Springerville on edge. The National Weather Service forecast strong wind gusts continuing through the night of May 17 and lasting at least through Monday, raising the risk of embers igniting new fires. In response, fire managers used the forecasts to their advantage, conducting controlled burns to reduce available fuel and slow the fire's spread. In a video posted to social media on May 17, Mike Wallace, operations section chief for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, explained how firefighters used both hand ignition and drone-based "aerial ignition" to build a "good buffer" ahead of anticipated winds. These buffer zones, he said, are designed to help protect the 26 Bar community, Springerville, and other areas to the east — giving fire crews a 'higher probability of success' in holding the line. Gov. Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency over the Greer Fire on May 17, releasing an emergency fund of $200,000 to help support the state's response to the fire, then toured parts of the area. Fire officials told her the weather remained an extreme concern and they had plans to evacuate local communities in a worst-case scenario. "I don't want to jinx anything, so I'm going to knock on this plastic table and pretend it's wood," Hobbs told them. Major highways in eastern Arizona remain closed because of the fire and won't reopen until further notice. The Arizona Department of Transportation reports: State Route 260 is closed in both directions between mileposts 380 and 395. State Route 373's southbound lane is closed between mileposts 385 and 390. State Route 261 is closed in both directions between mileposts 394 and 412. Reach the reporter at rstern@ or 480-276-3237. Follow him on X @raystern. A personal take: A terrible Arizona wildfire broke my heart. How my daughter gave me hope as new blaze rages This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Day 6 of the Greer Fire in eastern Arizona: What to know
