Coconino National Forest officials are allowing the Snake Ridge Fire to grow, removing dead wood and other fuel.

Lightning started the fire May 19, just north of west Clear Creek. Brady Smith with the U.S. Forest Service says firefighters are allowing the fire to move across the landscape, keeping it suppressed in some areas and letting it burn in others.

“Fire essentially just goes through and cleans out the forest and it helps restore the wildlife habitat and things like that. So by us allowing this to do its natural role it’s going to be helping restore the forest in those areas that haven’t had fire on the landscape in a long time," Smith said.

Smith says those headed to the area for Memorial Day shouldn’t be alarmed if they see smoke. Visitors are still allowed to have campfires there.