Crooks Fire Update, May 4, 2022

Current Situation

Total Personnel: 500
Size: 9,402 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained: 96%
Estimated Containment Date: Tuesday May 17th, 2022 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved: Timber (Litter and Understory), Chaparral (6 feet), Brush (2 feet)

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.

Per the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, as of 9:00 a.m. today, all GO statuses will be lifted, but Lookout Mountain will be placed in a SET status. 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 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.

As containment increases and fire activity slows significantly, fire resources are being released to rest and prepare for the next incident. On Thursday, May 5, the California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (CIIMT4) will transition the fire to the local, Central West Zone Type 3 Team. “The Prescott National Forest and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management want to thank CIIMT 4 for their hard work and expertise which provided for safe and timely fire suppression efforts and ultimately the protection of the Yavapai County communities and our National Forest lands.” Sarah Clawson, Bradshaw District Ranger.

From the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page:

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the incident management team, have now returned all residents currently in the SET status and evacuated areas back to READY status.

** We ask that you continue to monitor Code Red notifications and the YCSO Facebook Page for further updates or changes. **

AREA OPENINGS:

All communities affected by Crooks Fire are now back in READY status.

If property owners get to their residence and find damage to their homes, they can call RED CROSS at 1- 800-733-2767 for assistance.

**We ask that residents be mindful that there is still fire-fighting equipment and personnel in the area and to please exercise extreme caution and slow down for everyone’s safety. **

EVACUATIONS:

All areas will remain in READY.

CLOSURES:

Arizona Game and Fish is still working closely with Prescott National Forest Service to enforce the current forest closures. To view the Crooks Fire area closure order and map(attached) visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/prescott/alerts-notices/…