Ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Greer Fire is 88% contained. It’s been more than a week after it sparked in Apache County and burned aggressively toward Eagar and Springerville.

Since then, evacuation orders have been lifted, the smoke has significantly decreased, and businesses that rely on tourists want to let people know they are open. Many places in Greer rely on big, holiday weekends like Memorial Day to stay in business. Joel and Ashley Price, who run the Lazy Trout Market and Lodge, say the weather is perfect for a visit.

“We’ve talked to a couple of them today,” said Joel, grateful to the hundreds of firefighters who protected their business and others. “We’ve thanked them over and over again. Ashely gave the two that came in a big hug.”

Stage two fire restrictions are still in place, prohibiting fire, campfire or stove fire, including charcoal briquettes and smoking. But there is still plenty to do. Big Lake is open, and the Lazy Trout has plenty of fishing gear available.

“It sort of feels like Tom Hanks in that movie ‘Castaway.’ We’re here! Come get us,” Ashley said. “We’ve got food. We’ve got all the souvenirs that we ordered for the season. We need the people.”

The Price couple says they’ll be forever grateful to those who contained the Greer Fire.

“They just did such a good job,” Joel said. “This could have been just an absolute nightmare. They backburned and steered the fire and got it to where they could get to true containment. They’ve just done a wonderful job. We just say thank you. They completely protected our livelihood.”