Crooks Fire near Prescott controlled on one side, spreading on the other
Apr 26, 2022, 11:05 AM | Updated: Apr 27, 2022, 1:12 am
PHOENIX – As crews gain ground on one side of the Crooks Fire near Prescott, high winds have been spreading the flames on the other side.
The wildfire had consumed nearly 6,500 acres by Tuesday morning, fire officials reported, up from about 3,900 acres the previous morning. As of Tuesday evening, the fire had grown to 8,018 acres.
Although firefighters increased control on the north and east edges, growth to the south and west reduced the containment level to 16%. Containment had been up to 22% early Monday. On Tuesday evening, the containment of the fire was 20%.
Upper-level winds on Monday created significant smoke in the Prescott area, about 12 miles north of the fire.
#CrooksFire – ADEQ's Wildfire Smoke Forecast webpage indicates which areas are expected to be impacted by smoke from the Crooks Fire: https://t.co/ao16uvTlI8 pic.twitter.com/2AmsjpGWfS
— Prescott NF (@PrescottNF) April 25, 2022
Crews were working Tuesday to keep the fire south of Prescott Basin, and contain it west of Big Bug Mesa Road and Forest Service Road 83, north of FSR 82 and east of FSR 97B.
RELATED STORIES
Evacuation orders issued last week for southern Walker, Breezy Pines, Potato Patch, Lookout Mountain, Kamp Kipa, Mountain Pine Acres and Mount Tritle remain in effect.
On Monday afternoon, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office switched the “GO” status to “SET” for residences in the northern part of the Walker community. Find the list of streets along Walker Road cleared for return here.
Groom Creek, Walker North, Ponderosa Park, Pine Flat and Poland Road South were in “SET” status on Tuesday evening, a warning to residents to be prepared for potential evacuation orders.
All sites in the Groom Creek and Lynx Lake Recreation Areas, White Spar Campground, Prescott Circle Trail and much of the Prescott Basin are closed, according to the Forest Service. Find the full list here.
The Crooks Fire started on April 18 near Mount Union. The cause has not yet been determined.
