TUSAYAN – Crews completed planned ignitions around the entire perimeter and in the interior of the Lockett Fire planning area yesterday, bringing the total number of acres treated to 2,782.

Helicopter operations will continue today to locate areas which did not receive fire effects and determine if further isolated ignitions are required. Crews on the perimeter of the planning area will be patrolling to ensure the fire stays within containment lines, and resource advisors will work to identify areas requiring rehabilitation, such as on dozer lines, hand lines, and other areas impacted by firefighter activity to mitigate potential erosion issues in the future. Crews and equipment will be working along forest roads and smoke may cause decreased visibility – drive with caution.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) will remain in effect today and is expected to lift by tomorrow morning.

Although ignitions are complete, smoke and isolated flames will still be visible in the days to come as larger dead-and-down fuels, large stumps, and some snags continue to be consumed. Increasing cloud cover, humidity, and chances for rain coupled with decreasing temperatures will moderate remaining fire activity, resulting in fewer visible flames and decreased smoke production on the Lockett Fire. Winds will continue carrying smoke to the south, settling in low areas in the vicinity of the fire at night. The National Weather Service forecast calls for an increasing chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms this weekend and into next week.

Eighty personnel from the USDA Forest Service and National Park Service are currently assigned to the Lockett Fire. Crews will begin to be released from the incident in the coming days, with some crews remaining to patrol the Lockett Fire and be readily available for initial attack on any new fires in the area.

Managing naturally caused wildfires across the landscape is a very effective tool in restoring the forest to a healthier condition, and these efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape as well as other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.