Prescott National Forest

Beginning at 8 a.m., today, Thursday, May 26, 2022 Stage 2 Fire, Smoking and Recreational Shooting Restrictions took effect on the entire Prescott National Forest.  Stage 2 Fire Restrictions extend fire and smoking restrictions to include developed recreation sites.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team has completed the post-fire assessment on the Crooks Fire which is now 96% contained and have concluded the area affected by the fire does pose post fire risks to public safety. High and moderate burn severity areas pose the greatest risk and are potential sources of unstable soils and rock, falling trees and increased flooding. Public hazards have been identified within the fire footprint and downstream of the fire scar. Post-fire hazards are of particular concern during summer monsoon events.

Due to increasing fire danger the Prescott National Forest is planning to enter Stage 2 fire restrictions on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 8 a.m.

The Prescott National Forest assumed command of the Crooks Fire yesterday evening.  The Central West Zone Incident Management Team lead by Ryan Barela did a fantastic job managing the fire and produced a solid plan for local resources.  

Fire activity has been minimal with no growth. Firefighters will continue to closely monitor the fire on the ground and utilize aerial resources as needed until the fire is fully contained.  A fire is considered “contained” when firefighters are confident the line around the perimeter of a fire will prevent the fire from spreading any further.  

On Tuesday, May 17, the Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team will transfer command of the Crooks Fire back to the forest.  Fire objectives will remain the same, which include, providing for the safety of the public and fire resources, keeping the fire within its current footprint, and ensuring total suppression of the fire.  Due to minimal fire activity, this will be the last Crooks Fire update, unless significant changes occur.

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. 

Today, the California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (CIIMT) transferred command of the fire to Incident Commander Ryan Barela’s Central West Zone Type 3 Team. Barela’s team shadowed the CIIMT4 on Wednesday to ensure a smooth transition for management of the fire. Fire objectives remain the same, which include, providing for the safety of the public and fire resources, keeping the fire within its current footprint, and ensuring total suppression of the fire.

Beginning at 8 a.m., today, Thursday, May 5, 2022 Stage 1 Fire and Smoking Restrictions will be in effect on the entire Prescott National Forest. 

The City of Prescott and Yavapai County will enter State 1 fire restrictions at the same time.  Please visit their websites at www.cazfire.org or http://www.prescott-az.gov/services/fire/ for further information.

Crews increased containment overnight and continue to concentrate efforts on the northwestern edge of the fire to ensure it stays within its footprint and containment lines hold during wind events. On Tuesday, a flight over the fire’s perimeter showed minimal smokes within the interior with no threat to containment lines. Over the course of the next few days, crews will continue patrolling line, mopping up, and backhauling equipment out of the Lookout Mountain area to prepare for residents’ reentry. 

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is being established to begin a burned area assessment of the Crooks wildfire on the Bradshaw Ranger District. BAER assessments are rapid evaluations of the burned area to identify unacceptable risks on National Forest Service (NFS) lands from post-fire threats. The team’s focus is on the emergency actions necessary to protect life and safety, property and critical natural and cultural resources on NFS lands.