Arizona's Greer Fire explodes to more than 7,000 acres, evacuation area expands

Crews in eastern Arizona continue to battle a wind-driven wildfire that has burned over 7,000 acres as of Thursday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

The Greer Fire, named after the small community in Arizona's White Mountains where the blaze sparked Tuesday morning, remains at 0% containment.

The area is no longer under red flag weather conditions on Thursday, as it had been earlier in the week, but the evacuation zone continues to expand.

Pushing east, the blaze jumped State Route 261 and residents south of Highway 260 and West of River Road were told to evacuate.

The fire continues to be fueled by high winds, drought-stricken fuels and terrain challenges, officials said Thursday. The dangerous winds, however, have decreased from 45 mph to 25 mph, allowing for air tankers to assist in fire containment.

Wildland firefighters, hand crews, water tenders and dozers continue to support efforts.

Greer, Arizona, is a small mountain town near the state's border with New Mexico with a population of less than 60 residents, as of 2020 census data.

The Arizona Department of Transportation said Wednesday as crews battle the wildfire, State Route 260 is closed in both directions between mileposts 385 and 393. State Route 373's southbound lanes heading into Greer are also closed, officials said.

ABC News' Jenna Harrison and Vanessa Navarrete contributed to this report.