Wildfire Rages Across Eastern Arizona, Expands to 20,000 Acres

A massive wildfire continues to blaze through eastern Arizona, having now consumed over 20,000 acres, with additional fire hazard warnings issued on Monday.

Current Status of the Greer Fire

The fire, ignited near the small Arizona community known as Greer in the White Mountains on May 13, has swollen to 20,425 acres in size. As of now, it is approximately 38% controlled, according to officials.

Officials have announced a red flag warning for northeast Arizona, which includes the areas affected by the fire. Residents are strongly discouraged from engaging in activities that could ignite sparks.

Warnings & Evacuations

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management emphasized that even a single spark can ignite a rapidly spreading wildfire under current dry conditions.

Over 700 individuals are currently involved in efforts to extinguish the fire. However, they are facing challenges due to strong winds reaching speeds of up to 40 mph, which put the fire containment lines to the test, the forestry service reported.

State Assistance and Public Reaction

Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona has declared a state of emergency in Apache County due to the intensifying fire.

Governor Hobbs expressed her condolences to those affected, stating, "My thoughts are with everyone impacted by this destructive wildfire."

Evacuation Zones and Safety Precautions

Authorities have ordered evacuations for Greer, South Fork, and residents living to the west of Highway 261, as well as Eager, south of Highway 260, and west of River Road. An alert has been set up to inform the public about current evacuation mandates.

Officials continue to investigate the origin of the fire.

The town of Greer is a quaint mountain community close to New Mexico's border, with fewer than 60 residents as reported in the 2020 census.

Further Information

The forestry department assured that further updates on the fire's progression and the corresponding evacuations will be communicated to the public by Monday evening.