Wildfires boosted by ‘ferocious’ winds
Evacuations ordered, crews work to contain Crooks, Tunnel fires
Two wildfires near Flagstaff and Prescott remained active late Tuesday evening as crews worked to protect homes and other structures.
The U.S. Forest Service said in a news release Tuesday the Crooks Fire burning near Mount Union, about 10 miles south of Prescott, had grown to 600 acres and had no containment. The agency said the fire’s main fuel sources were brush, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office asked people in the area of Potato Patch, Breezy Pines and Walker Road south of Lynx Lake to evacuate to a safe location. A shelter was set up at the Yavapai College gymnasium in Prescott.
The Sheriff’s Office warned those north or northeast of Breezy Pines to prepare for an immediate evacuation order.
“The wind is quite ferocious and is pushing the fire in a north/north east direction,” the statement said. “This is causing YCSO to put areas in an immediate GO status prior to having a ‘ready or a set’ designation. Everyone in the area of the Crooks Fire should be prepared and ready regardless of whether a formal evacuation status has been set.”
On Tuesday, firefighters focused on keeping the fire south of Forest Road 261 and east of Senator Highway. Crews were expected to work overnight to protect structures and burning fuels along those roads.
“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,” the news release stated.
An incident management team assumed command of the fire Tuesday evening. As of the morning, 181 personnel were working on the fire.
A public safety closure order went
into effect Tuesday morning in the restricted area and will remain in effect until May 3 at 6 p.m. or until it is rescinded. Those who violate the order may face a Class B misdemeanor, according to U.S. Forest Service officials.
The order prohibits people from being on the national forest lands, water, roads and trails within the restricted area. People with a written Forest Service authorization and members of organized rescues or firefighters are exempt from the order.
People who have private property within the area are allowed to enter in accordance with evacuation orders.
Incident Cmdr. Cory Carlson said in a video Tuesday the biggest challenge of the day was the red flag warning, which was in effect Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. due to strong winds and low relative humidity. According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, this means the fire danger was very high.
“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,” the news release stated.
The American Red Cross responded to the Crooks Fire and opened an evacuation center at the Findlay Toyota Center, 3201 Main St., in Prescott Valley. If anyone has questions or needs assistance, they can stop by or call 1-800RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Tunnel Fire in Flagstaff scorches 6,000 acres
Meanwhile, the Tunnel Fire burning 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff across
U.S. Highway 89 forced people from their homes Tuesday evening as it reached up to 6,000 acres in size with 0% containment, forest officials said.
The fire was reported shortly before 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The cause is still under investigation.
Residents who live north of Campbell and both east and west of Highway 89 were advised to evacuate, according to the Coconino County Situational Awareness Viewer. Residents in Moon Crater were also advised to evacuate.
All areas north of Lenox Road and south of Forest Service 545, including Wupatki Trails, have been evacuated, Coconino County officials tweeted.
Coconino County asked those in the area to not take household pets to High Country Humane Animal Shelter.
Antelope Hills and Government Prairie communities were also in SET status,
the website stated. Residents were advised to be prepared to evacuate in case they were ordered by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
The fire had grown substantially Tuesday evening due to high winds. It had spread toward the northeast at a high rate, according to a news release from the Coconino National Forest.
The Doney Park area near the fire faced structural threats, but forest officials could not say whether any homes had been destroyed.
More than 200 firefighters and fire personnel from state and local agencies were assigned to the fire. Additional resources and personnel were expected to arrive within the next two days, the release stated.
U.S. Highway 89 closed between mileposts 425 and 435. Motorists traveling toward Page were encouraged to find an alternate
route, the release stated.
A Red Cross Shelter opened at Sinagua Middle School at 3950 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff for those evacuated from areas affected by the Tunnel Fire, according to Coconino County. Animals are not allowed into the evacuation center.
Those in the Timberline area with household pets and horses, goats, sheep, pigs and chickens were able to bring them to the Coconino Humane Association at 3501 E. Butler Ave. in Flagstaff.
Coconino County also has an open call center at 928-679-8525 for those affected by the Tunnel Fire.