Crooks Fire May 16, 2022
Last Crooks Fire Update Unless Significant Changes in Fire Activity Occur
Location: 11 nautical miles south of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 1), near Mt Union.
Start Date: April 18, 2022
Size: Approximately 9,402 acres
Percent Contained: 96%
Cause: Under Investigation.
Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory), Chaparral (6ft)
Number of Personnel Assigned: 104
On Tuesday, May 17, the Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team will transfer command of the Crooks Fire back to the forest. Fire objectives will remain the same, which include, providing for the safety of the public and fire resources, keeping the fire within its current footprint, and ensuring total suppression of the fire. Due to minimal fire activity, this will be the last Crooks Fire update, unless significant changes occur.
Last week the Incident Base Camp was moved to Groom Creek Horse Camp, allowing the City of Prescott to re-open Watson Lake Recreation Area to the community on Friday, May 13, 2022. “The Prescott National Forest and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management want to thank the City of Prescott for their generosity and use of Watson Lake during the Crooks Fire,” Sarah Clawson, Bradshaw District Ranger and Russ Shumate, AZ Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Firefighters are nearing completion of the suppression repair work, hazardous tree removal, and road mending. Patrolling and securing the perimeter of the fire will continue for the next several weeks as interior fuels continue to burn and smolder. As a reminder, residents within the Crooks Fire area need to utilize caution while driving on the roads as firefighters continue to work in and around the fire area. Hazards still exist in and around the fire area and residents living nearby should utilize care as fire-weakened trees, ash pits, and burned stump holes remain.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are used to limit certain activities on public lands during periods of extreme fire risk. Fire restrictions have various levels called stages. Each stage limits specific activities and can vary from place to place, even those areas in close proximity. Know before you go on that trip to visit our national forests or public lands. Check on current fire restrictions at: WildlandFire.az.gov
WEATHER: High pressure will persist across the region allowing light terrain-driven winds and daytime relative humidity values below 10% to continue. Temperatures will be 10-15 degrees above normal through the week.
FOREST CLOSURE: The Prescott National Forest has reduced the fire area emergency closure allowing for Upper Goldwater Lake to re-open to the public. The closure provides public health and safety due to firefighting operations on the Crooks Fire. Prescott National Forest Fire Closure Order and Fire Closure Map
Crooks Fire Information: Phone: (928) 925-1111
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