At approximately 10 a.m. on Monday, April 18, Prescott National Forest crews responded to a reported wildfire south of Prescott near Mount Union. The Crooks Fire is now burning 600 acres and sending smoke northeast into the Verde Valley.
Neither the Crooks Fire nor the Tunnel Fire near Flagstaff directly threaten the Verde Valley.
The Crooks Fire is burning through brush, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer. Local resources including aircraft have been working throughout the day in rugged terrain identifying hazards and scouting control feature as the begin to suppress the fire. Resources including crews, engines and aircraft are on scene and have been ordered. Smoke may be visible from multiple locations including Chino Valley, Mayer, and Prescott Valley.
Ryan Barela’s Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management assumed command of the Crooks Fire 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. The fire remained active last night as crews worked through the night on structure protection and burning fuels along Forest Road 261 and along Senator Highway, where the fire began. 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.
Basic Information
Current as of 4/19/2022, 9:05:15 AM
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Undetermined
Date of Origin Monday April 18th, 2022 approx. 10:00 AM
Location 11 miles south of Prescott Arizona
Incident Commander Cory Carlson
Coordinates 34.403 latitude, -112.426 longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel 181
Size 600 Acres
Estimated Containment Date Wednesday May 04th, 2022 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved
Timber (Litter and Understory), Chaparral
Significant Events
Active, Torching, Flanking, Spotting
Projected Incident Activity
Wind Driven, Moderate to High Active, Group Torching, Spotting
Weather Concerns
Red Flag Warning for 4/19/2022
For up to date information regarding the Crooks Fire, please visit inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8067/
The Tunnel Fire leads to evacuations for communities northeast of Flagstaff
At 0% containment, the Tunnel Fire located 14 miles northeast of Flagstaff has grown substantially due to high winds and spread toward the northeast at high rate, eventually moving across State Route 89.
Fire managers currently estimate the fire to be approximately 6,000 acres, and more than 200 firefighters and personnel are currently assigned to the fire.
Area evacuations have been ordered, and up-to-date evacuation information can be found via the Coconino County Tunnel Fire page. Evacuees can also call the Coconino County Emergency Call Center at 928-679-8525.
Structures threatened include the community in Doney Park near the fire, and crews cannot confirm as of this news release whether or not any homes have been destroyed.
Current firefighting resources include five handcrews, 15 engines, and three dozers. Air tankers were ordered earlier this afternoon to aid in the firefight but were diverted due to high winds that surpassed wind thresholds for air resource purposes. Partner agencies such as Flagstaff Fire Department, Summit FD, Highlands FD, and state crews have also aided in intial and continued response.
A Type I Incident Management Team has been ordered and personnel, assets and resources from the team will arrive over the next two days.
State Route 89 is closed between mileposts 425-435, so motorists traveling toward Page will need to find an alternate route.
Basic Information
Current as of 4/19/2022, 4:59:56 PM
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Unknown
Date of Origin Sunday April 17th, 2022 approx. 04:22 PM
Location Approx. 14 miles NE of Flagstaff
Incident Commander Mark Adams
Incident Description Resources on scene include
Coordinates 35.304 latitude, -111.589 longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel 200
Size 6,000 Acres
Fuels Involved
Dry grass and brush. Scattered pine.
Projected Incident Activity
A Type 1 Incident Management Team has been ordered.
Remarks
Coconino County Emergency Management has set up a call center for evacuees at 928-679-8525.
Weather Concerns
High winds have grounded air resources which are unable to fly due to wind thresholds for aircraft during firefighting operations.
For up to date information regarding the Tunnel Fire, visit inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8068/
