A fast-moving wildfire near the community of Greer in north-central Idaho has grown to 456 acres as of Saturday evening, with zero containment and Idaho Highway 11’s Greer Grade remaining closed to traffic. The blaze has already destroyed one primary structure and an outbuilding, though no evacuations have been ordered.
The Greer Fire was first reported Friday at 5:30 p.m. and moved quickly through rugged terrain over the following hours. By Saturday morning, officials estimated the fire at approximately 300 acres — a figure that climbed to 456 by Saturday afternoon, reflecting the fire’s rapid spread through steep, rocky terrain on slopes approaching 70 percent grade. Flames have been moving uphill through a combination of grass, brush, and timber, presenting difficult conditions for ground crews.
Road Closures Cause Confusion; Highway 12 Now Open
The Greer Grade portion of Idaho Highway 11, running from the top of the grade down to the town of Greer, was shut down Saturday morning as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. A scheduled reopening around 7 p.m. Saturday came and went without the road reopening, leaving motorists dependent on updates from officials.
Adding to the confusion Saturday was the simultaneous closure of U.S. Highway 12 near Lenore due to debris from a separate incident, the Mile Marker 25 Fire. That highway reopened fully Saturday, offering some relief to drivers in the region. Highway 12 had previously prompted a “Be Ready” evacuation order for nearby residents before crews were able to bring the situation along that corridor under control.
Nez Perce County Sheriff John Smith addressed the public directly amid the overlapping road closures, clarifying that it was Highway 12, not Highway 11, that had reopened. “Highway 12 is opening NOT Highway 11. I stand corrected! My confusion with two fires and same teams working them,” he said in a public statement. The sheriff added that the status of Highway 11 would be determined by fire personnel and the Idaho Transportation Department, not by a set schedule.
Firefighting Resources Deployed; Type 3 Team to Take Command Sunday
As of Saturday evening, 75 firefighters were actively working the Greer Fire, with three additional crews expected to arrive before nightfall. Aerial resources on scene included two helicopters and three scooper aircraft, all assisting with attack runs over the rugged terrain.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is scheduled to assume command of operations at 6 a.m. Sunday, signaling a more structured, longer-term management posture for a fire that shows no signs of slowing without a significant shift in weather or terrain.
The fire’s location on steep, unstable ground has complicated direct attack efforts. With slopes near 70 percent and the fire burning uphill, ground crews face serious safety constraints that limit how aggressively they can engage. Air resources have taken on added importance as a result.
Despite the fire’s size and behavior, officials have not ordered evacuations in the area. Residents near Greer are urged to monitor official channels closely, however, as conditions remain fluid and zero percent containment leaves the perimeter vulnerable to expansion, particularly if wind or humidity conditions change overnight.
What Comes Next
The transition to a Type 3 Incident Management Team on Sunday morning is expected to bring additional planning capacity and resource coordination to the Greer Fire response. Officials have not provided a timeline for when Idaho Highway 11’s Greer Grade will reopen, with the decision resting entirely with fire personnel and the Idaho Transportation Department based on safety conditions on the ground.
Motorists who depend on Greer Grade for access to the community of Greer should plan for an extended closure and watch for updates from the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office and ITD. The fire’s cause remains under investigation, and the extent of the structural losses — currently one residence and one outbuilding — could rise if the perimeter is not stabilized.
For continued statewide wildfire coverage, visit Idaho News.