Crooks Fire May 7, 2022

Critical Fire Weather Moving into the State  

Crooks Fires

May 6, 2022 – Daily Update

Central West Zone Type 3 Team Takes Command of 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 9,402 acres

Percent Contained:   96%

Cause:  Under Investigation.    

Vegetation:  Timber (Litter and Understory), Chaparral (6ft)

Number of Personnel Assigned: 300

Fire suppression and repair work continues on the fire as crews build contingency line in the Spruce Mountain-area. The contingency line acts as a secondary fire line and helps slow potential fire spread. It also provides for community safety due to the potential for increasing terrain driven winds pushing the remaining unsecured edge to the north and northeast. On Thursday, crews also picked up a flare up on the northwest side of the fire with the help of aircraft providing bucket work. Firefighters continue to patrol and monitor the perimeter of the fire checking for interior smokes and hot spots. As work continues, residents and visitors need to be aware of heavy equipment and firefighting resources traveling in and out of the area.

As a reminder, the Prescott National Forest has implemented a fire area emergency closure which ultimately provides for both public and firefighter safety. However, law enforcement and firefighters continue to find people hiking and off-roading within the closure area. While the fire remains 96% contained and fire activity has significantly decreased, hazards exist in and around the fire’s perimeter. Ash pits, stump holes, and downed trees can often go unnoticed by the public and create additional safety risks. The Upper and Lower Wolf Creek Campgrounds, Groom Creek Horse Camp, Ranch Trail #62, and Goldwater Lake remain closed. Watson Lake also remains closed as it continues to serve as base camp for fire crews and overhead.

Another round of critical fire weather is forecast for the fire area for the next few days. Warm temperatures, increased southwest winds and low humidity levels play a role in fire activity and behavior. Firefighters remain vigilant ahead of the critical fire weather and have crews staged to provide for initial attack should a new start occur. Also, Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place on both the Prescott National Forest and State Trust Lands within Yavapai County. Detailed fire restriction information can be found at: WildlandFire.az.gov

WEATHER: Ridgetop winds will increase after the inversion breaks between 9:30-10:00 a.m. with afternoon gusts increasing to 25-30 mph after noon. Poor humidity recoveries are expected again tonight. Red Flag conditions are likely Saturday and potentially into early next week due to very dry conditions and strong southwest winds

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 Order – Fire 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!

Crooks Fire
May 5, 2022
 
Central West Zone Type 3 Team Takes Command of Crooks Fire

May 5, 2022
Reduced Crooks Fire Area Emergency Closure, Some Recreation Sites Reopen

 Order Number: 03-09-03-22-05 
 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
U.S. FOREST SERVICE PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICT
 
CROOKS FIRE PUBLIC SAFETY CLOSURE NOTHERN REDUCTION
 
PROHIBITIONS
 
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the area described in this Order (the “Restricted Area”) and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Bradshaw Ranger District, Prescott National Forest, Yavapai County, State of Arizona.
 
1. Going into or being upon the Restricted Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
 
EXEMPTIONS
 
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
 
1. Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
 
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
 
3. Residents, owners, and lessees of private property within the Restricted Area are allowed ingress and egress only to and from their properties, if consistent with local evacuation orders.

RESTRICTED AREA
 
The Restricted Area consists of all National Forest System lands, waters, roads, and trails within the boundary starting at the intersection of State Route 89 and National Forest System Trail (FT) 67, then following east along FT 67 for approximately 3 miles to the intersection with FT 396, then following FT 396 east for approximately 2 miles to the boundary of Non- Forest System Ownership, then following the Non-Forest Service Ownership north for approximately 0.5 miles, then following the Non-Forest Service Ownership boundary east for approximately 1 mile to junction with County Road (CR) 56, then following CR 56 south for approximately 2 miles to the intersection with National Forest System Road (FR) 52A, then following FR 52A east for approximately 3 miles to the intersection with FT 297, then following FT 297 east for approximately 3 miles to the intersection with CR 57, then following CR 57 south for approximately 2 miles to the intersection with FR 670, then following FR 670 east for approximately 1 mile to the intersection with FR 20, then following FR 20 east for approximately 3 miles to the junction with the National Forest (NF) boundary, then following the NF boundary east for approximately 2 miles, then following the NF boundary south for approximately 6 miles, then following the NF boundary east for approximately 1 mile to the intersection with County Road 177, then following County Road 177 southwest for approximately 10 miles to the intersection with National Forest System Road (FR) 52, then following FR 52 south for approximately 9 miles to the intersection with National Forest System Trail (FT) 362, then following FT 362 southwest for approximately 2 miles to the intersection with FT 213, then following FT 213 northwest for approximately 4 miles to the intersection with FR 9246A, then following FR 9246A northeast for approximately 1 mile to the intersection with FR 682B, then following FR682B northwest for approximately 2 miles to the intersection with FR 682, then following FR682 west for approximately 1 mile to the NF boundary, then following the NF boundary north for 6 miles, then following the NF boundary west for 4 miles, then following the NF boundary north for approximately 6 miles to the junction with State Route 89, then following State Route 89 northeast for approximately 12 miles back to the point of beginning at the intersection of Route 89 and FT 67.
 
Note: State Route 89 remains open.
 
PURPOSE
 
To provide for public and fire fighter health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the Crooks Fire.
 
IMPLEMENTATION
 
1. This Order will be effective on May 3, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. and shall remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. on June 01, 2022, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
 
2. A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as ExhibitA. For a digital version of the Order map for the Prescott National Forest, navigate to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/prescott/alerts-notices.
 
3. Any violation of the prohibitions in this Order is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C.§ 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. § 3581(b)(7)).
 
4. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Bradshaw Ranger District Office located in Prescott, Arizona, telephone number 928-443-8000, and at the Prescott National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Chino Valley, telephone number 928- 777-2200.
 
5. This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order.
Done at Prescott, AZ, this 3rd day of May 2022.

 

Fire Information: 928-925-1111    Hours: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Email: 2022.Crooks@firenet.gov         

Crooks Fire 

May 3, 2022 

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/

Firefighters’ lines hold back Crooks Fire during wind storm
May 2, 2022 

 BAER Information: David Moore, BAER Team Leader 928-443-8000

 BAER Team Assessment of Crooks Fire Impacts

PRESCOTT, AZ – May 2, 2022 - A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is being established to begin a burned area assessment of the Crooks wildfire on the Bradshaw Ranger District. BAER assessments are rapid evaluations of the burned area to identify unacceptable risks on National Forest Service (NFS) lands from post-fire threats. The team’s focus is on the emergency actions necessary to protect life and safety, property and critical natural and cultural resources on NFS lands. The team is working in conjunction with the Yavapai County Flood Control District and shares burned area information from the assessment with other federal, state and local agencies with post-fire responsibilities on state and private lands both within and downstream of burned areas, including USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Weather Service (NWS), and US Geological Survey (USGS).

Crook Fire
May 1, 2022

Progress on the Crooks Fire will be tested by gusty, dry Red Flag Sunday

 Firefighters and the use of drones

Location: 11 nautical miles south of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 1), near Mt Union.

Start Date: April 18, 2022

Size: Approximately 9393 acres, 38% Containment                                            Cause: Under Investigation

Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory), Chaparral (6 feet)               Number of Personnel Assigned: 889

Despite the winds and dry conditions there has been little fire progression along the perimeter, there are still areas of concern where firefighters are still actively fighting. Currently the priority remains on preventing the fire moving north on the northwest perimeter and protecting structures near Mount Tritle. With the assistance of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) otherwise known as drones, firefighters have made significant progress in locating and extinguishing hot spots in and around the perimeter.

Like firefighters, drones are actively used for day and night operations.  Trained professionals, utilize this essential tool for fighting wildfires. These drones give firefighters a bird’s eye view of the terrain and can assist with determining where the fire moves next, allowing swift decisions can be made about where crews should go. It is illegal for the public deploy or utilize a personal Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in a fire area to get a closer view of the fire. This can interfere with firefighting operations and place both pilots and firefighters lives in danger. During a wildfire incident a Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) around the fire and privately owned drones (UAS) can interfere with wildland fire air traffic, such as air tankers, helicopters, and other firefighting aircraft that are necessary to suppress wildland fires. Even the smallest drone (UAS) can cause a serious or fatal accident if it collides with firefighting aircraft and disrupts firefighting operations.  

Per the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR 9212.1(f), it is illegal to resist or interfere with the efforts of firefighter(s) to extinguish a fire. Doing so can result in a significant fine and/or a mandatory court appearance. So, be smart and just don't fly your drone anywhere near a wildfire. No amount of video or photos are worth the consequences.