Single Publication

Complex Incident Management Team 3 Assumes Command

Acres: 7,052 
Start Date: May 13, 2025
Location: Greer, AZ 
Cause: Under Investigation
Personnel: Approximately 448 
Fuels: Grass, Shrubs, Timber
Containment: 0 percent

Highlights: The Greer fire was detected on private land midmorning Tuesday, May 13. The wind driven fire then moved on to Forest Service land, Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the Forest Service joined into a multijurisdictional command. Today, Complex Incident Management Team 3, led by Matt Rau, assumed command of the Greer Fire at 6 a.m. today. New evacuation orders were issued. A community meeting is scheduled for today at 6:00 p.m. at the Round Valley High School Theatre to provide the latest updates and address public concerns.

Operations: Yesterday firefighters made progress constructing containment line in and around Greer. Firefighters continued overnight efforts to secure the heel of the fire near Greer. Despite challenging high winds, two scooper aircraft operated throughout the day, supported by two heavy helicopters and one light helicopter conducting water bucket drops. The scoopers, pulling water from Lyman Lake, focused suppression efforts along both the right and left flanks of the fire, with an emphasis on structure protection and limiting south and eastward spread. Yesterday, the fire crossed Highway 261. Both Highway 260 and 261 remain closed due to fire activity. Steep, rugged terrain and persistent high winds remain a challenge for containment.

Weather: High winds are forecast to persist through the day with continued dry conditions.

Smoke: Today smoke will disperse to the northeast with light to moderate impacts to Eagar and Springerville.
Closures: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has issued a closure order for National Forest lands. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are also in effect, prohibiting fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes and smoking.

Evacuations: The Apache County Sheriff’s Office has issued multiple evacuation orders. GO: Greer, South Fork, and residents west of Highway 261. Eagar, south of HWY 260 and West of River Road SET: All Eagar residents who are south of State Route 260 and between River Road and the SR260/180 junction.
A shelter for evacuees is open in St. Johns at the County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds has the capacity to house small and large animals. A second shelter location is open at the Community Center in Alpine.

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.