Community Meeting Tonight
New Forest Closure “Expanded”
Crooks Fire Incident Update Date: 04/28/2022
Location: 11 nautical miles south of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 1), near Mt Union.
Start Date: April 18, 2022
Size: Approximately 9014 acres, 23% Containment
Cause: Under Investigation
Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory), Chaparral (6 feet)
Number of Personnel Assigned: 855
On Wednesday strong winds out of the south with low relative humidity, hampered firefighting efforts. Wind gusts of 30 plus mph, drove the fire west of Lookout Mountain toward Dosoris Canyon, pushing smoke into Prescott and surrounding communities. Crews were successful in holding the 52 Spur Road to keep the fire west of the affected communities. Both rotary and fixed wing aircraft were utilized in direct and indirect attacks between Lookout Mountain and Johnson Flat supporting ground operations. Containment rose from 20% to 23%, and the fire to the north and east remained in their established footprints, and crews remained patrolling those locations and prep for future operations.
Today, dozers and hand crews will work to strengthen the containment lines along Forest Service Road (FSR) 82. Favorable terrain may allow firefighters to access the fires edge west of Lookout Mountain, with the efforts of multiple fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Structure protection remains a key tactical objective and crews continue to perform defensive operations throughout the area.
Resources Assigned: 5 – Type 1 Hotshot crews, 5 – Type 2 Hand crews, 41- Engines, 14 – Helicopters, Miscellaneous Equipment, and Overhead.
WEATHER: Gusty southwest winds with humidity in the teens to single digits, will once again produce near critical fire weather.
SMOKE INFORMATION: Residents should be aware of increasing smoke conditions do to winds out of the south. Residents can monitor current conditions for the Crooks Fire, via Arizona Smoke Forecasting system located at https://azdeq.gov/wildfireforecast?fire=crooksfire
EVACUATIONS: Several areas remain in both the “READY” and ”SET” status. Residents should continue to monitor the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page for additional information.
https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/
FOREST CLOSURE: To provide public health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the uncontrolled Crooks Fire the Prescott National Forest has expanded the fire area emergency closure to the south. To view the Crooks Fire area closure order and map visit: Prescott National Forest – Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)
COMMUNITY MEETING: Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 3700 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, AZ. Residents may attend in person at the Hanger or virtually via Facebook Live Stream www.facebook/PrescottNF additionally, residents can watch live or view a replay on YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCzbIoBB-yAclQO_Hz0hBMQQ
