The Crooks Fire Has Burned Over 39-Hundred Acres And Is 22-Percent Contained South Of Prescott, Some Evacuations To Be Lifted

The Crooks Fire has over 39-hundred acres and is 22-percent contained south of Prescott in the Bradshaw Mountains, and residents north of Walker Road will be able to go home Monday afternoon. Sunday, drier fuels with lower humidity led to increased fire activity on the southwest flank, creating a large smoke plume visible from Prescott and the surrounding communities. Helicopters and air tankers dropped water and retardant which assisted firefighters in slowing fire growth on the southwest side near Ash Creek drainage. The fire was moderately active, burning surface fuels in the vicinity of Yankee Doodle Peak. Firefighters continued to mop up from Mt. Union around the northeast edge of the fire to Moscow Peak. Monday’s priorities will be to continue to establish control lines in the southwest section of the fire on Ash Creek Ridge. Aircraft will be active again in this part of the fire to assist in slowing the fire’s spread to the west. The northern and eastern flanks will remain in patrol status as crews will continue to mop up and strengthen the line up to Mt. Union. Some good news as residents located north of Walker Road will be able to go home at 3 p.m. Monday. Over 600 firefighters are currently working on the Crooks Fire.