Crooks Fire tops 8,000 acres south of Prescott; containment at 20%
The Crooks Fire burning near Mount Union, about 10 miles south of Prescott, increased in size Tuesday but remained at 8,018 acres into Wednesday. Containment was at 20% as of Wednesday.
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
The Prescott National Forest tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that a community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. today 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 for today due to south to southwest winds combined with low humidity.
About 786 personnel were working on the fire as of Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday, winds and difficult terrain hindered firefighting efforts but crews were still able to construct fire lines north of the fire.
Firefighters worked on improving containment efforts made to the north and east on Wednesday. Crews also worked south of Lookout Mountain with support of aircraft and continued 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.
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.
The following areas are under evacuation or “go” status:
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 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 (800733-2767).