Residents return, most evacuations lifted on the Crooks Fire
Location: 11 nautical miles south of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 1), near Mt Union.
Start Date: April 18, 2022
Size: Approximately 9402 acres, 83% Containment
Cause: Under Investigation
Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory), Chaparral (6 feet)
Number of Personnel Assigned: 798
Due to the hard work of the firefighters and after the red flag warning tested the fire line, evacuations were lifted in all areas except Lookout Mountain on Monday, May 2, 2022. The fire has not grown, and containment increased to 83%. Friendly reminder to all returning residents to please drive carefully, as there is still fire personnel and heavy equipment working in the fire area and on the roads. For the latest on re-population, please refer to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Facebook page.
Throughout the Crooks Fire, helicopters have dropped over 1.2 million gallons of water fighting the Crooks Fire. Heavy equipment, hoses and supplies are being hauled off the mountain. Firefighters have made great progress, but the fire risk is not gone. Firefighters will be monitoring the Crooks Fire every day until containment reaches 100%. People living in the wildland-urban interface are encouraged to thin vegetation for defensible space around homes. YavapaiFirewise.org is a good resource for help.
WEATHER: A passing, dry low-pressure system will bring a round of windy conditions to the fire today. Southwest wind gusts above 30 mph are possible during the afternoon. Minimum humidity will be near 20%.
SMOKE INFORMATION: Residents can monitor current conditions for the Crooks Fire, via Arizona Smoke Forecasting system located at https://azdeq.gov/wildfireforecast?fire=crooksfire
EVACUATIONS: Some areas remain in both the “READY”, “SET”, and “GO” 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) A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place: Wildfires are a NO Drone Zone. Flying recreational and media drones within a TFR is illegal and impedes fire suppression efforts. Report drones to local law enforcement. If You Fly, We Can’t!
