Crooks Fire Daily Update

April 24, 2022

Location: 10 miles south of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 12), near Mt Union.

Start Date:  April 18, 2022

Size:    Approximately 3,091 acres, 15% Containment

Cause:     Under Investigation

Vegetation:   Brush, Ponderosa Pine, and Mixed Conifer

Number of Personnel Assigned: 615

Yesterday, drier fuels with lower humidity led to increased fire activity on the southwest flank, creating a large smoke plume visible from Prescott and the surrounding communities.  Helicopters and air tankers dropped water and retardant which assisted firefighters in slowing fire growth on the southwest side near Ash Creek drainage. The fire was moderately active, burning surface fuels in the vicinity of Yankee Doodle Peak. Firefighters continued to mop up (making sure the fire is out by dousing hot spots with water) from Mt. Union around the northeast edge of the fire to Moscow Peak.

Today’s priorities will be to continue to establish control lines in the southwest section of the fire on Ash Creek Ridge. Aircraft will be active again in this part of the fire to assist in slowing the fire’s spread to the west.  The northern and eastern flanks will remain in patrol status as crews will continue to mop up and strengthen the line up to Mt. Union.

There will be a community meeting today, April 24th, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., at Embry Riddle University in “The Hanger”, 3700 Willow Creek Dr., Prescott, Arizona. The meeting will be live-streamed to the Prescott National Forest Facebook page.  If you are unable to attend, the recording will be available to view afterward, visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzbIoBB-yAclQO_Hz0hBMQQ or https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF.

Resources Assigned:  6 - Type 1 Hotshot crews, 4 - Type 2 Hand crews, 29 - Engines, 11 - Helicopters, Miscellaneous Equipment, and Overhead. 

With an increase in fire activity on the Crooks Fire resulting in a visible column from Prescott and nearby communities, Kyle Jacobson gives a brief update. Kyle is the Operations Section Chief with California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 and helps develop the strategies and tactics utilized in our effort to contain the Crooks Fire and protect values at risk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0mLxUh6Qak 

  Crooks Fire Daily Update

April 23, 2022

Location: 10 miles south of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 12), near Mt Union.

Start Date:  April 18, 2022

Size:    Approximately 2,804 acres, 5% Containment

Cause:     Under Investigation

Vegetation:   Brush, Ponderosa Pine, and Mixed Conifer

Number of Personnel Assigned: 535

Despite the significant wind event yesterday, there was minimal fire growth.  Firefighters were successful in holding the northern flank and preventing further spread.  Helicopters dropped water and fixed-wing aircraft dropped retardant to protect structures on the east side of Lookout Mountain.  Hand crews and dozers completed a direct line on Big Bug Road to Moscow Peak. Fire managers scouted for opportunities for constructing control lines on the southern flank. 

Today hand crews will continue to build a direct line south of Mt. Tritle to protect Lookout Mountain and structures.  Ongoing work on securing the control line from Mt. Davis south to Moscow Peak will continue to prevent fire spread to the east.

Fire behavior is flanking and backing in the southern area of the fire.  Heavy dead and down fuels are drought-stressed and very receptive to embers where fire can move up into the crowns of trees.

A community meeting will be held Sunday, April 24th, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., at Embry Riddle University in the Hanger, 3700 Willow Creek Dr., Prescott, Arizona. The meeting will be live-streamed to the Prescott National Forest Facebook.  If you are unable to attend, the recording will be available to view afterward, visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzbIoBB-yAclQO_Hz0hBMQQ or https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF.

Resources Assigned:  6 - Type 1 Hotshot crews, 3 - Type 2 Hand crews, 32 - Engines, 5 - Helicopters, Miscellaneous Equipment, and Overhead. 

   Winds Continue to Challenge Firefighters

April 22, 2022 

Location: 10 miles south of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 12), near Mt Union.

Start Date:  April 18, 2022

Size:    Approximately 2356 acres, 0% Containment

Cause:     Under Investigation

Vegetation:   Brush, Ponderosa Pine, and Mixed Conifer

Number of Personnel Assigned: 359

Last night the fire remained active. Strong winds will continue to test fire lines.  The fire had minimal growth to the northeast and west of Senator Highway.  Large diameter dead and downed fuels continue to burn along the permitter and interior, increasing smoke which can be seen in the surrounding communities. 

With communities still being threatened by the fire, structure and point source protection remains a priority where it is safe for firefighters to engage.  Firefighters continue to build direct and indirect line construction in areas offering potential success of line holding.  Today’s wind will continue to test fire lines along the north east edge of the fire.     

During initial attack on Monday, April 21 two outbuilding were damaged.  Additional information will be released when property locations have been verified and owners notified. 

We would like to remind the communities that firefighter and public safety remain the number one objective.  We want to make sure your communities are safe before we allow anyone to return home.    

Resources Assigned:  5 - Type 1 Hotshot crews, 2 - Type 2 Hand crews, 19 - Engines, 5 - Helicopters, Miscellaneous Equipment and Overhead. 

California Interagency Incident Management Team

Assumes Command of the Crooks Fire

April 21, 2022 

April 20, 2022

Strong winds challenge firefighters on the Crooks Fire

Community Meeting Tonight at 6:30 PM

A Community Meeting for the Crooks Fire will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 6:30 pm
The meeting will take place at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
3700 Willow Creek Dr. Prescott, AZ 
 
The meeting will be live streamed to the Prescott National Forest Facebook and you do NOT need an account to watch. If you are unable to attend, the recording will be available to view afterwards.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF 

ASL Interpreter and Closed Captioning services will be provided.

Click the link under related information to view the announcement and map location 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
U.S. FOREST SERVICE PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICT

CROOKS FIRE PUBLIC SAFETY CLOSURE

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), 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).

2.      Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

3.      Being on a trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

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 the National Forest (NF) boundary, proceeding east along the NF boundary for approximately 10 miles, then following the NF boundary south for approximately 6 miles, 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 for approximately 1 mile to the junction with County Road 177, then following County Road 177 for approximately 10 miles to the intersection with Forest Road (FR) 52, then following FR 52 south for approximately 3 miles to the intersection with Forest Trail (FT) 275, then following FT 275 west for approximately 4 miles to the intersection with FR 82A, then following FR 82A southwest for approximately 5 miles to the intersection with FR 94, then following FR 94 northwest for approximately 3 miles to the junction with the NF boundary, then following the NF boundary north for 1 mile, then following the NF boundary west for 4 miles, then following the NF boundary north for approximately 5 ½ miles to the intersection with State Route 89, then following the eastside of State Route 89 northeast for approximately 13 miles back to the point of beginning at State Route 89 and the junction of the NF boundary.
Note: State Route 89 remains open.

PURPOSE

To provide public health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the uncontrolled Crooks Fire on the Prescott National Forest.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.      This Order will be effective on April 19, 2022, at 6:00 a.m. and shall remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. on May 03,             2022, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

2.      A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. 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 these prohibitions 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 Chino Valley, AZ this   19th       day of April 2022.

Dale Deiter

Forest Supervisor Prescott National Forest

Crooks Fire Information (928) 925-1111

InciWeb: Crooks Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)

Location: 10 miles of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 12), near Mt Union.

Start Date:  April 18, 2022

Size:     Approximately 600 acres

Percent Contained:   0%

Cause:     Under Investigation

Vegetation:   Brush, Ponderosa Pine, and Mixed Conifer

Summary: Ryan Barela’s Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management will assume command of the Crooks Fire today at 6:00 PM.  The fire remained active last night as crews worked through the night on structure protection and burning fuels along Forest Road (FR) 261 and along Senator Highway.  Firefighters will focus today on keeping the fire south of FR 261 and east of Senator Highway.  Fires in Prescott, AZ typically are driven by southwestern winds that push the fire to the northeast, therefore, we are prioritizing working on the northeastern part of the fire.

Fire behavior can be unpredictable, and fire managers are asking the public to exercise caution and steer clear of all areas that could be impacted by the Crooks Fire.

Resources Assigned:  3-Type 2 Hand crew, 5-Type 1 Hotshot crew, 5-Engines, 5 – Helicopters, and Miscellaneous Overhead. 

WEATHER: Red Flag warning in effect from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MST this evening due to strong winds and low relative humidity.  Warm dry conditions are expected today with temperatures peaking in the afternoon around 70, relative humidity at 10%, with winds out of the southwest at 25-35 MPH with gusting up to 50 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 forest closure.  To view the closure order and map visit: Prescott National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)    

ROAD CLOSURE: Goodwin Road – Crown King to Senator Highway; Walker Road is blocked at Senator Hwy; Lower Wolf Creek Road is closed at Senator Hwy and Big Bug Mesa Road is closed at Goodwin Road.  As a reminder to the public, with the increased fire vehicles in the area, for public and firefighter safety people should not travel into any of the fire area.