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Crooks Fire

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Unit Information

344 S Cortez St 
Prescott, 
86303 
344 S Cortez St 
Prescott, 
86303 

Incident Contacts

  • Crooks Fire Information
    Phone:
    928-925-1111
    Hours:
    M-F 8am to 4pm

5.7.2022 Crooks Fire Update

Crooks Fire
Publication Type: News 05/07/2022

Crooks Fire May 7, 2022

Critical Fire Weather Moving into the State  

    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:  272
  Critical fire weather entering the state may challenge firefighters over the next few days as conditions align for extreme fire danger. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for most of Arizona through Sunday night due to strong southwest winds and low relative humidity which can potentially intensify fire behavior and increase fire activity. Fuels remain critically dry and receptive to fire. Crews have been staged ahead of the incoming weather to provide for initial attack on new starts and to patrol the fire lines for any possible holding concerns.

On Friday, aircraft flew the fire and picked up some heat within its perimeter on the northwest side. The heavy timber component on that side is contributing to increased fire behavior and heat. Crews are inserted along that edge to suppress it and tie in remaining, uncontained line. Aircraft will continue to monitor the northwest side and provide bucket work, if needed. On the northern and eastern sides of the fire, containment lines remain stable and no interior heat is being reported. Firefighters continue conducting repair work in the Mount Union area and removing protective foil wrap used on the historic cabin in Palace Station. Repair work also continues in the community of Potato Patch. Heavy equipment, including masticators and chippers are being used as part of the rehabilitation work within communities and along the roadways. And as a reminder, residents and visitors driving in the area need to utilize caution.

Today, a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team begins their assessment of the Crooks Fire burn area. The team will conduct evaluations of the area to identify concerns and hazards on National Forest Service (NFS) lands, including post-fire flooding, watershed conditions, and potential impacts to critical and cultural resources nearby.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: WildlandFire.az.gov

WEATHER:
Red Flag conditions Saturday through Sunday due to very dry conditions and strong southwest winds. The strongest winds on Saturday will gust 30-40 mph. Winds will be strongest on Sunday with gusts up to 50 mph. 

FOREST CLOSURE: The Prescott National Forest has implemented a fire area emergency closure to provide public health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the uncontrolled Crooks Fire. Prescott National Forest Fire Closure OrderFire Closure Map

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.