Firefighters’ lines hold back Crooks Fire during wind storm
Red flag conditions tested containment lines Sunday on the fire with strong southwest winds and low relative humidity. Blowing ash and dust were present with some interior pockets of fuels producing smoke. The hard work of firefighters paid off as containment lines held during 44 mph wind gusts. The fire area did not expand, and containment increased to 75%.
On Sunday, crews continued to focus on structure protection and finished thinning of vegetation along Senator Highway. This was to provide a fire break which will help provide protection to communities for years to come. Heavy equipment is being used to repair road damage in preparation for re-population of evacuated neighborhoods, when conditions are safe, and the Sheriff approves.
But this fire is not out yet, and as baseball great Yogi Berra said, ‘it ain’t over til it’s over.’ The weather remains dry, and the forest is parched by drought. Firefighters will be patrolling, monitoring and mopping-up hot spots on the Crooks Fire on Monday and 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: Dry and breezy Monday with southwest winds 10-20 mph. Minimum humidity should be around 20%. Gusts near 30 mph are possible Tuesday as a low-pressure system passes through Central Arizona.
SMOKE INFORMATION: Residents can monitor current conditions for the Crooks Fire, via Arizona Smoke Forecasting system located at https://azdeq.gov/
EVACUATIONS: Several areas remain in both the “READY” and “SET” status. Residents should continue to monitor the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page for additional information. https://www.facebook.com/
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 expanded the fire area emergency closure to the south. To view the Crooks Fire area closure order and map visit: Prescott National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)
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!
Fire Details
- 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, 75% Containment
- Cause: Under Investigation
- Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory), Chaparral (6 feet)
- Number of Personnel Assigned: 826
