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Crooks Fire Daily Update: April 23, 2022

With an increase in fire activity on the Crooks Fire resulting in a visible column from Prescott and nearby communities, Kyle Jacobson gives a brief update. Kyle is the Operations Section Chief with California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 and helps develop the strategies and tactics utilized in our effort to contain the Crooks Fire and protect values at risk.

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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.

Saturday, hand crews continued 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)

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