Crooks Fire tops 9,000 acres burned near Prescott; national forest restrictions expand

Arizona Republic
·4 min read

The Crooks Fire burning near Mount Union, about 10 miles south of Prescott, increased in size to 9,014 acres Wednesday. Containment was at 23% as of Wednesday night.

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

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office updated areas under evacuation and "set" status Tuesday evening. "Set" is the middle step of the state's three-step evacuation framework and advises residents to be ready to evacuate if ordered by authorities.

The following areas are under "go" or evacuation status:

  • Mountain Pine Acres

  • Breezy Pines

  • Potato Patch

  • South Walker

  • Lookout Mountain

  • Mount Tridal

Prescott National Forest announced that the restricted area expanded on Wednesday night to the south and southeast of Prescott. The restrictions will be in place until May 3. A map of the updated restricted area can be found on the national forest's website.

The Prescott National Forest tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that a community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Embry Riddle University for an update on the fire. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Prescott National Forest's Facebook page.

A post from the city of Prescott said that smoke impacts may continue through the week.

Fire outlook and smoke forecast

Critical fire conditions were predicted Thursday due to gusty winds combined with low humidity. The low humidity will stay but winds will lighten on Friday.

Smoke from the fire is expected to start to the south and spread to the north and northeast again Thursday, according to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Prescott and Prescott Valley will continue to see smoke overhead. Flagstaff will continue to see smoke overhead as well.

About 855 personnel were working on the fire as of Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, winds and difficult terrain hindered firefighting efforts but crews were still able to construct fire lines north of the fire.

Firefighters will work on improving containment efforts made to the north and east Wednesday. Crews will also work south of Lookout Mountain with support of aircraft and will continue structure protection.

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

Fire crews wrap the Palace Station Historic Stagecoach Stop Cabin as the Crooks Fire continued to burn near Prescott.
Fire crews wrap the Palace Station Historic Stagecoach Stop Cabin as the Crooks Fire continued to burn near Prescott.

The U.S. Forest Service said fire crews wrapped Palace Station Historic Stagecoach Stop Cabin in a foil-like wrap designed to reflect heat away from the structure and cleared brush and low-hanging branches near it. The cabin is located in Crooks Canyon roughly 17 miles south of Prescott.

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 and south of Potato Patch.

The fire has reached Mount Union, Mount Davis, Yankee Doodle Peak and Moscow Peak. It also reached Lookout Mountain towards 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 on Thursday night. A full list of what is closed can be found on the Forest Service's website.

Evacuations in effect for Crooks Fire

People evacuated from Walker Road north of mile marker 10 and west of Big Bug Mesa were allowed to return to home starting Monday at 3 p.m. The area will remain in "set" status, however. A full list of streets where residents can return was posted on Facebook.

The following areas are under evacuation or "go" status, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office:

  • Mountain Pine Acres

  • Breezy Pines

  • Potato Patch

  • South Walker

  • Lookout Mountain

  • Mount Tridal

The following areas are under "set" status, meaning residents should be ready to evacuate:

  • Groom Creek

  • Walker North

  • Ponderosa Park

  • Pine Flat

  • Poland Road South

The American Red Cross said a shelter was set up for residents affected by the fire at the Yavapai College gymnasium, at 1100 E. Sheldon St. in Building 2, in Prescott.

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 update: 9,000 acres burned, 23% contained