ARIZONA NEWS

Containment grows on 2 disruptive wildfires in northern Arizona

Apr 27, 2022, 9:20 AM | Updated: 9:33 am
(InciWeb Photo) May 4, 2022, map of the Crooks Fire, about 11 miles south of Prescott. (InciWeb)
(Facebook Photo/Prescott National Forest) (Facebook Photo/Prescott National Forest) A hotshot crew does mop-up work on the Crooks Fire near Mount Union Lookout. (InciWeb Photo/Sergio Montanez)
The sun sets over the Crooks Fire in Prescott National Park on April 26, 2022. (InciWeb Photo) (Twitter Photo/@azstateforestry) Crews protect the Palace Station Historic Stagecoach Stop Cabin from the Crooks Fire with a foil-like wrap. (U.S. Forest Service - Prescott National Forest/Crooks Fire Public Information Officer Sergio Montañez) Crews protect the Palace Station Historic Stagecoach Stop Cabin from the Crooks Fire with a foil-like wrap. (U.S. Forest Service - Prescott National Forest/Crooks Fire Public Information Officer Sergio Montañez) (InciWeb Photo) (Twitter Photo/@PrescottNF)

PHOENIX – Crews are gaining more control of two disruptive wildfires that have been burning for more than a week in northern Arizona, authorities said.

The Crooks Fire is still spreading to the south and west in Prescott National Forest, surpassing 8,000 acres burned, but containment increased to 20%, fire officials said Wednesday morning. The size was reported at around 6,500 acres with 16% containment the previous morning.

Meanwhile, the Tunnel Fire in Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff is holding steady at around 19,300 acres, with containment at 30%, up from 20% from the previous day.

The Tunnel Fire started about 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff on April 17. The cause remains under investigation. Officials previously said it had consumed more than 21,000 acres, but the size was adjusted downward after more accurate measurements were taken this week.

The Tunnel Fire’s footprint hasn’t changed since the weekend, and all related evacuations have been lifted.

The Crooks Fire started about 11 miles south of Prescott in Yavapai County on April 18, and the cause is undetermined. Evacuation orders – “GO” status of the emergency response system — remain in effect for South Walker, Breezy Pines, Potato Patch, Lookout Mountain, Kamp Kipa, Mountain Pine Acres and Mount Tritle.

A Crooks Fire community meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday in the hangar at Embry Riddle University in Prescott, 3700 Willow Creek Drive.

All Prescott National Forest sites in the Bradshaw Ranger District, Groom Creek and Lynx Lake recreation areas, and White Spar Campground are closed because of the fire, according to the Forest Service. Find the full forest closure list here.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(City of Tempe Photo)...
KTAR.com

Tempe Town Lake closed to boaters until further notice due to increased debris

Boating and other water-related activities will be off-limits at Tempe Town Lake until further notice due to an increased amount of debris floating downstream.
10 hours ago
(Navajo County Sheriff's Office Photo)...
KTAR.com

Woman dead after floodwaters sweep away Jeep in northeastern Arizona

A woman was found dead Thursday after her vehicle got stuck in floodwaters in northeastern Arizona the previous night.
10 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Arizona Department of Public Safety)...
KTAR.com

Off-duty Phoenix officer struck by vehicle after helping driver on Interstate 17

An off-duty Phoenix police officer was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured Thursday while helping a driver on a freeway, authorities said.
10 hours ago
(Screenshot via Arizona Department of Transportation)...
KTAR.com

Wrong-way driver crashes into vehicle on westbound Loop 202 in Tempe

A wrong-way driver collided with a vehicle on an East Valley freeway Friday morning, injuring at least one person, authorities said.
10 hours ago
(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)...
SuElen Rivera

Daughter of 2002 murder victim on Hobbs halting executions: It’s ‘traumatizing to my family’

The daughter of 2002 murder victim Ted Price said Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' decision to halt prisoner execution is traumatizing her family as they expected Price's killer to be executed next month.
10 hours ago
(Phoenix Zoo/KNIX Barbecue and Beer photos)...
KTAR.com

Weekend guide: Here are the biggest events around metro Phoenix for March 24-26

From sporting events to more wine festival celebrations, there will be a lot to do around the Valley this weekend.
10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...
Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.
(Pexels Photo)...

Sports gambling can be fun for adults, but it’s a dangerous game for children

While adults may find that sports gambling is a way to enhance the experience with more than just fandom on the line, it can be a dangerous proposition if children get involved in the activity.
(Photo via MLB's Arizona Fall League / Twitter)...
Arizona Fall League

Top prospects to watch at this year’s Arizona Fall League

One of the most exciting elements of the MLB offseason is the Arizona Fall League, which began its 30th season Monday.
Containment grows on 2 disruptive wildfires in northern Arizona