Big Idea

• The Crooks Fire started Monday morning, and is at 600 acres
• Road and area closures have been put into place
• A Type 3 Incident Management Team will assume command at 6 PM
• A Red Flag warning is in effect for today
• Read more...

Updated Crooks Fire information

Crooks Fire Information (928) 925-1111 

InciWeb: Crooks Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)

Location: 10 miles of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 12), near Mt Union.

Start Date:  April 18, 2022

Size:  Approximately 600 acres

Percent Contained:   0%

Incident Commander: Cory Carlson

Total Personnel: 181

Weather Concerns: Red Flag Warning for 4/19/22

Cause: Under Investigation

Vegetation:  Brush, Ponderosa Pine, and Mixed Conifer

Summary: Ryan Barela’s Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management will assume command of the Crooks Fire today at 6:00 PM.  The fire remained active last night as crews worked through the night on structure protection and burning fuels along Forest Road (FR) 261 and along Senator Highway.  Firefighters will focus today on keeping the fire south of FR 261 and east of Senator Highway.  Fires in Prescott, AZ typically are driven by southwestern winds that push the fire to the northeast, therefore, we are prioritizing working on the northeastern part of the fire.

Fire behavior can be unpredictable, and fire managers are asking the public to exercise caution and steer clear of all areas that could be impacted by the Crooks Fire. 

Resources Assigned:  3-Type 2 Hand crew, 5-Type 1 Hotshot crew, 5-Engines, 5 – Helicopters, and Miscellaneous Overhead. 

WEATHER: Red Flag warning in effect from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MST this evening due to strong winds and low relative humidity.  Warm dry conditions are expected today with temperatures peaking in the afternoon around 70, relative humidity at 10%, with winds out of the southwest at 25-35 MPH with gusting up to 50 mph.  

EVACUATIONS:  Information about 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 forest closure.  To view the closure order and map visit: Prescott National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)     

Restricted areas and closures: 

• The Restricted Area consists of all National Forest System lands, waters, roads, and trails within the boundary 
• starting at the intersection of State Route 89 and the National Forest (NF) boundary, 
• proceeding east along the NF boundary for approximately 10 miles, then 
• following the NF boundary south for approximately 6 miles, then 
• following the NF boundary east for approximately 2 miles, then 
• following the NF boundary south for approximately 6 miles, then 
• following the NF boundary for approximately 1 mile to the junction with County Road 177, then 
• following County Road 177 for approximately 10 miles to the intersection with Forest Road (FR) 52, then 
• following FR 52 south for approximately 3 miles to the intersection with Forest Trail (FT) 275, then 
• following FT 275 west for approximately 4 miles to the intersection with FR 82A, then 
• following FR 82A southwest for approximately 5 miles to the intersection with FR 94, then 
• following FR 94 northwest for approximately 3 miles to the junction with the NF boundary, then 
• following the NF boundary north for 1 mile, then 
• following the NF boundary west for 4 miles, then 
• following the NF boundary north for approximately 5 ½ miles to the intersection with State Route 89, then 
• following the eastside of State Route 89 northeast for approximately 13 miles back to the point of beginning at State Route 89 and the junction of the NF boundary.

NOTE: STATE ROUTE 89 REMAINS OPEN.

So, does this sound confusing? Here is a rough map to help you get oriented. 

HERE IS THE CLOSURE DECLARATION: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/AZPNF/2022-04-18-1917-Crooks-Fire/related_files/pict20220319-113547-0.pdf

HERE IS THE OFFICIAL CLOSURE MAP: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/AZPNF/2022-04-18-1917-Crooks-Fire/related_files/pict20220319-113626-0.pdf 

For information on the Prescott National Forest, check out the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook andTwitter.