Incident Management Team to Assume Command of the Crooks Fire April 19, 2022
Release Date:
Contact(s): Fire Information: 928-925-1111
Crooks Fire Information (928) 925-1111
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8067/
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
Crooks Fire Public Safety Closure Order:
- Forest Order Number 03-09-03-22-02 (549 KB PDF)
- Area Map (2.28 MB PDF)
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.
Stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.
Alerts & Warnings
- Weather-related road closures in effect: Horsethief Basin & Big Bug Mesa Area
- Full closure February 9 - 23 of FR 104 (Mingus Mtn Rd) for construction
- Lynx Lake boat launch temporarily unavailable due to low water
- Toilets temporarily CLOSED at Lynx Lake North Shore
- Intermittent Road Closures on MIngus Mountain
- #03-09-05-24-09 Hwy 260 Corridor Camping Restrictions
- Lynx Lake & Verde River Annual Bald Eagle Closures 12/1 - 6/30
- There are currently NO FIRE RESTRICTIONS in effect
- Perkinsville Bridge Area Special Closure
- Target Type restrictions implemented across the Prescott NF
- Drones Use on Forest Service Lands