GREER FIRE

Watch Duty Updates:

Misty Collett • Regional Captain

Jul 14 at 3:43 PM

Afternoon Update 7/14/2026

Firefighters made significant progress on the Greer Fire today, increasing containment to 72%. Light rain this morning helped moderate fire activity, allowing crews to strengthen and secure containment lines while continuing mop-up operations. Firefighters worked systematically to locate and extinguish remaining hotspots, moving the fire closer to full containment.

Travel Reminder: Highway 11 remains open to one lane with a pilot car escort. Please expect delays, reduce your speed and watch for firefighters and heavy equipment.

Per Idaho Department of Lands on Facebook.

Zeke Carpenter • Reporter

Jul 14 at 8:21 AM

July 14, 2026 Update:

Update: Firefighters assigned to the Greer Fire experienced a quiet overnight operational period, with night shift resources patrolling containment lines and monitoring for any changes in fire activity. Early this morning, Idaho Department of Lands personnel conducted an infrared (IR) drone flight to identify pockets of residual heat. The imagery will allow firefighters to systematically target hot spots, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of mop-up operations.

Today's operations will continue to focus on mopping up and securing containment lines. As firefighters meet mop-up objectives and verify that heat has been removed from the fire's edge, containment is expected to increase.

Summary: Forecast thunderstorms may bring gusty, erratic winds to the fire area today. While recent fire behavior has remained minimal, wind can uncover buried embers by blowing ash away, exposing them to oxygen and receptive fuels.

Firefighters will remain vigilant, monitoring for any rekindles and taking immediate action as needed. As more sections of fire line are secured, crews will continue transitioning from active suppression to mop-up operations while beginning to back haul equipment from

completed portions of the fire.

Highway 11 remains open to one lane of traffic with a pilot car escort provided from the continued assistance of the Idaho Department of Transportation. Motorists should expect delays and remain alert for firefighters, heavy equipment and changing road conditions. Please reduce your speed and follow all traffic signs and directions from personnel.

Recreationists on the Clearwater River are asked to avoid the confluence of Highway 11 and Highway 12 while aviation resources are supporting firefighting operations. When aircraft are scooping water, please move safely to the shoreline and do not impede flight operations. Delays in aviation operations can affect firefighting efforts on the ground.

There are currently no evacuations. The public is encouraged to stay informed and avoid the fire area to allow firefighters and equipment to

operate safely.

- Per Clearwater County on Facebook

Patricia Jacobs • Staff Reporter

Jul 13 at 3:42 PM

Greer Fire Afternoon Update- July 13, 2026

Steep, rocky terrain continues to challenge firefighters working on the Greer Fire. Despite these difficult conditions, crews made significant progress today.

Minimal fire behavior allowed firefighters to strengthen firelines and increase containment to 35%. Fireline has now been established around the entire fire, and crews have begun mopping up within the contained perimeter. Firefighters are using a process known as gridding—systematically searching for and extinguishing remaining heat sources up to 100 feet inside the fireline—to help ensure the fire remains secure.

As temperatures cool this evening, night shift resources will continue patrolling the fire, checking for hotspots, and strengthening containment lines to preserve today's progress.

Per the Idaho Department of Lands Facebook page.

Maureen Bonessa • Regional Captain

Jul 13 at 9:41 AM

7/13/26 Update: Firefighters continue making steady progress on the Greer Fire burning along Highway 11 (Greer Grade Road) in Clearwater County. An infrared flight conducted Saturday mapped the fire at 353 acres. The fire remains 0% contained.

The North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team has assumed command of the fire. Currently there are 177 personnel assigned to the incident, including hand crews, engines, dozers, water tenders and overhead personnel. Aircraft remain available to support ground resources as weather and fire conditions allow.

Overview: Today's operational objectives are to

complete containment line around the fire perimeter and continue protecting affected homes and infrastructure. Firefighters will continue working where conditions allow to strengthen and connect containment lines while improving access for suppression operations.

The fire is burning in timbered drainages and pockets of timber and brush, with additional fire activity occurring in agricultural fields and timber stringers on the surrounding plateaus. Access to portions of the fire remains limited due to steep, rugged terrain. Firefighters are carefully assessing hazards and adjusting tactics to safely engage the fire. Thick blackberry brambles, poison ivy and rocky slopes continue to make suppression efforts challenging. Firefighter and public safety remain the highest priorities as crews work toward containment objectives.

Traffic Status: The Idaho Transportation Department has reopened Highway 11 to one lane of traffic with a pilot car escort. Motorists should expect delays and remain alert for firefighters and heavy equipment working along the roadway. Please follow all posted signs and directions from traffic control personnel.

Weather: Hot, dry weather and gusty winds will continue to challenge suppression efforts. Forecasted thunderstorms over the next several days may produce strong, erratic outflow winds capable of increasing fire activity, even where little rainfall occurs. Firefighters will continue monitoring changing weather conditions and adapting tactics as needed.

There are no evacuation orders at this time. The public is reminded to remain vigilant and stay informed, as fire conditions can change rapidly.

Update by North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team

Sekhar Padmanabhan • Staff Reporter

Jul 12 at 9:14 AM

Incident Update: Infrared mapping conducted Saturday refined the fire's estimated size to 354 acres. The fire remains 0% contained. Highway 11 remains closed and is expected to remain closed throughout the day while firefighters continue suppression operations along the corridor.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command at 0600 this morning. One hundred eighty personnel are now actively working to contain the fire, including five hand crews, engines, dozers, and water tenders. Aircraft remain available to support ground resources as conditions warrant.

Fire growth was limited yesterday due to aggressive aerial suppression efforts. Three helicopters, four water scoopers, and aerial retardant drops allowed crews to begin establishing a fire line around the perimeter.

Today, resources will focus heavily around Highway 11 to establish a safe perimeter. IDL is coordinating closely with the Idaho Transportation Department and the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office as conditions allow for the safe reopening of Highway 11.

Crews will continue working on establishing containment lines and begin assessing hot spots. The fire continues to burn in steep, rocky terrain where firefighter safety remains the top priority. Crews will continue working around the clock until containment objectives are met.

Temperatures are expected to remain high, with light winds in the afternoon.

Update from Idaho Department of Lands on Facebook

Zeke Carpenter • Reporter

Jul 11 at 3:48 PM

The Greer Fire has grown to an estimated 456 acres and remains 0% contained. There are currently no evacuation orders in effect. Highway 11 remains closed between the top of Greer Grade and the community of Greer.

Approximately 75 personnel are actively working to suppress the fire, including firefighters from Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA), Idaho Department of Lands, Palouse Type 2 Initial Attack Team, and one hand crew. Three additional crews are expected to arrive this evening. Several aerial resources are also on scene, including two helicopters, three scooper aircraft, and additional large airtankers. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is expected to assume command at 6:00 a.m. Sunday, Per Idaho Department of Lands.

Jaimee Whitfield •Mentorship and Engagement Coordinator

Jul 11 at 10:43 AM

The Greer Fire is burning on Greer Grade, near Greer, Idaho. The fire is estimated at 300 acres and is 0% contained.

Highway 11 is closed in both directions between the top of Greer Grade to the town of Greer. Please check 511 for road closure updates. At this time, no evacuations are reported.

The fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain on a 70% slope and moving uphill in mostly grass, brush and timber. Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA) and other local resources are actively engaged in suppression efforts. A Type 3 Incident Management Team will arrive later today and is expected to assume command tomorrow morning. Additional aerial resources including a helicopter and two single-engine air tankers have been ordered and are expected to arrive today.

Hot, dry conditions are expected to continue today, with temperatures in the mid-90s. Increasing light winds in the afternoon may contribute to fire growth.

For evacuation information, follow the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow firefighters and equipment to operate safely. Do not fly drones near the fire. Unauthorized drones can ground firefighting aircraft.

Read the full update from the Idaho Department of Lands here.

Brendan Magee • Coverage Reporter

Jul 10 at 8:15 PM

Cottonwood - ALERTWest

The size of the fire is 300 acres, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). An current view of the fire can be seen on the camera above.

Zeke Carpenter •Reporter

Jul 10 at 7:09 PM

The Greer Grade (Highway 11) is now closed from Greer to the top of the Grade. Please avoid this area, per Clearwater County on Facebook

Zeke Carpenter •Reporter

Jul 10 at 6:57 PM

The fire is now 10 acres, per WildCAD.

Zeke Carpenter •Reporter

Jul 10 at 6:48 PM

The sheriff's office announces Highway 11 closure due to active wildland fire on Greer Grade.
An active wildland fire is currently burning on the Greer Grade. In response to the incident and to ensure public safety, the Sheriff's Office will be closing Highway 11 shortly from Greer to the top of the Grade.
Fire suppression efforts are underway, and aerial firefighting resources are expected to arrive soon to assist crews in containing the fire.

The public is urged to avoid the area and remain clear of Highway 11 between Greer and the top of the Grade until further notice. This will allow emergency personnel to work safely and efficiently while minimizing risks to the public.

Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available, per Clearwater County on Facebook.

Zeke Carpenter • Reporter

Jul 10 at 6:35 PM

Bald Mtn Clearwater - ALERTWest

The fire can be seen on the camera above.

National Interagency Fire Center • Automated

Jul 10 at 6:22 PM

New fire reported by NIFC at 5:38 PM Fri Jul 10th (PDT).

Acres: 8.0

Containment: (not provided)