Crooks Fire
May 9, 2022
Next Crooks Fire Update will be on Monday, May 16, 2022
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: 217
Firefighters have made progress strengthening and improving the northwest edge of the Crooks Fire, preventing growth during critical fire weather. Crews and heavy equipment will continue to patrol the fire, mop up remaining hot spots near control lines, repair and rehabilitate areas where suppression actions were taken, and clear hazardous snags and debris along roadways in and around the fire area. Light smoke may be visible at times, as interior fuels continue to burn and smolder.
Over the next few days, the Incident Management Team will begin to release resources. This process is known as right-sizing the organization. Crews will be released from the fire as objectives are met and made available to assist with other wildfires in the southwest. Remaining resources will patrol and hold the fire perimeter to ensure the fire remains within the planning area. As resources are released, the CWZ Type 3 team will begin moving the Incident Base Camp out of Watson Lake and over to Groom Creek Horse Camp on the Bradshaw Ranger District. This move could start on Tuesday, May 10 and continue through Thursday May 12, allowing the City of Prescott to re-open Watson Lake.
As a reminder, residents within the Crooks Fire area need to utilize caution while driving on the roads as firefighters continue to work in and around the fire area. The Prescott National Forest has issued a new reduced closure order which reduces the size and continues to provide for public and firefighter safety. Hazards still exist in and around the fire area and residents living nearby should utilize care as fire-weakened trees, ash pits, and burned stump holes remain.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are used to limit certain activities on public lands during periods of extreme fire risk. Fire restrictions have various levels called stages. Each stage limits specific activities and can vary from place to place, even those areas in close proximity. Know before you go on that trip to visit our national forests or public lands. Check on current fire restrictions at: WildlandFire.az.gov
WEATHER: Sunny, dry and breezy conditions are expected to continue through midweek. A weather system will rapidly increase south-southwest winds on Wednesday before winds shift to northwest Wednesday evening. Drier and less windy conditions will return later this week.
FOREST CLOSURE: The Prescott National Forest has reduced the fire area emergency closure allowing for Upper Goldwater Lake and portions of the Circle Trail to re-open to the public. The closure provides public health and safety due to firefighting operations on the Crooks Fire. Prescott National Forest Fire Closure Order and Fire Closure Map
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.
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