#CrooksFire Update – 4/23/22

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.
WEATHER: Higher humidity levels helped suppress burning and assist firefighters in slowing the growth. Today much lighter winds will be present throughout the day, 5-10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph with cooler temperatures and drier weather by this afternoon.
SMOKE INFORMATION: Arizona Smoke Forecasting system information can be located at https://azdeq.gov/wildfireforecast?fire=crooksfire
EVACUATIONS: There is no change to the evacuation status. Information about the 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 Crooks Fire area closure order and map visit: Prescott National Forest – Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)

Read the entire article at: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF