California Interagency Incident Management Team
Assumes Command of the Crooks Fire
April 21, 2022
Location: 10 miles south of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 12), near Mt Union.
Start Date: April 18, 2022
Size: Approximately 2000 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: Under Investigation
Vegetation: Brush, Ponderosa Pine, and Mixed Conifer
Number of Personnel Assigned: 342
Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the Crooks Fires yesterday at 6:00 pm and quickly held a community meeting. To view the recording of the Crooks Fire Community Meeting visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqsH4tAFh2E. We would like to thank the community last night for the patience as we experienced technical difficulties.
Increased fire activity and growth has resulted has firefighters implementing point protection where applicable and safe. Structure assessment activities are progressing in the communities in the immediate fire area. Spotting and fire spread to the west, north and northeast has resulted in firefighters identifying options ahead of the main fire, looking at roads and other natural features to limit fires spread with the use of containment lines.
The fire is burning in continuous thick, dry, dead, and down fuels in very rugged terrain. Erratic winds and fire behavior is making conditions hazardous for firefighters. Firefighter and public safety is the number one objective, firefighters are being directed to not put themselves in situations where the risks are high, and probability of success is low. The consistent message from leaders to firefighters is “Nothing is worth you getting hurt”.
Resources Assigned: 3-Type 2 Hand crews, 4-Type 1 Hotshot crews, 14-Engines, 5 – Helicopters, Miscellaneous Equipment and Overhead.
WEATHER: Sunny, temperatures in the mid-60s, 22% humidity; winds southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.
EVACUATIONS: Information about current evacuation status can be found on the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page at: 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 implemented a fire area emergency closure. To view the closure order and map visit: Prescott National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)
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