Crooks Fire: Lookout Mountain residents allowed to return home; Blaze containment at 89%

Fire crews working on the Crooks Fire burning near Mount Union, about 10 miles south of Prescott, increased containment to 89% as the blaze remained at 9,402 acres as of Wednesday.

Residents in one of the last remaining evacuated areas, Lookout Mountain, were to be allowed to return home starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Reparation of road damage was underway for evacuated neighborhoods to return, Prescott National Forest officials said in a news release Tuesday.

"Firefighters have made great progress, but the fire risk is not gone," according to the statement. "Firefighters will be monitoring the Crooks Fire every day until containment reaches 100%."

The National Forest also reduced the size of the restricted area Tuesday in a new closure order. A map of the updated area can be found on the forest's website, at https://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/.

"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," forest officials said in the release.

The weather should aid firefighters in reaching more containment as lighter winds are forecast Wednesday and Thursday, though weather will remain warm and dry. Minimum relative humidity is forecast near 10%.

The fire was reported April 18, and the cause was still under investigation, according to InciWeb, a website that tracks wildfire information.

Crews will continue mopping up and backhauling equipment out of the Lookout Mountain area, according to the Prescott National Forest. Firefighters will also concentrate efforts on the northwestern edge of the fire to ensure containment lines hold.

Containment defines the amount of the fire's perimeter surrounded by a control line that the fire will not cross.

Only two structures were reported damaged, but additional information will be released when property locations have been verified and owners have been notified, forest officials said.

The U.S. Forest Service announced Friday that the Prescott National Forest will be entering Stage 1 fire restrictions beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday. Details about the restrictions can be found on the U.S. Forest Service website.

Where is the Crooks Fire burning?

Crooks Fire is burning about 10 miles south of Prescott in the west portion of Prescott National Forest, west of Big Bug Mesa, northwest of Pine Creek, southeast to Mount Tritle, south of Potato Patch and east of Johnson Flat.

The fire reached Mount Union, Mount Davis, Yankee Doodle Peak and Moscow Peak. It also reached Lookout Mountain toward the west.

The Forest Service closed sites in Groom Creek and Lynx Lake recreation areas, White Spar campground, Prescott Circle Trail and the Prescott Basin were closed on April 21.

As of Wednesday, 612 personnel were working on the fire.

Fire management will transition Thursday to a local team, the Central West Zone Type 3 Team.

Evacuations in effect

In the area of Lookout Mountain these specific regions are allowed home beginning 9 a.m. Wednesday.

• Forest Service Road 261 (a.k.a Poland Rd.)

• Tall Pines Rd.

• Golden Eagle Rd.

• Short Pines Rd.

• Senator Highway

Residents returning will need documentation of ownership to return and will need to check in at the roadblock located at Senator Highway and Wiggler Road. Lookout Mountain will remain in "set" status, meaning residents should be ready to evacuate.

Residents in the areas Mount Tritle, Breezy Pines, South Walker, Potato Patch and Mountain Pine were given permission to return home Monday.

All other areas will be in "ready" status.

If anyone has questions or needs assistance, they can stop by or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Crooks Fire: Lookout Mountain residents allowed to return home