The Skull Flat Wildfire East of Beaver is expected to grow as crews ignite more areas Wednesday.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire began on Monday with a lightning strike.

Because the area was already planned for a prescribed burn in the future, officials decided that instead of using funds and efforts to fight the blaze, they’d help it along to get it over quickly.

The goal is to reduce dangerous fuels for any potential future fires and to help the Beaver watershed.

Fire personnel also say they hope to mitigate long term smoke impacts to surrounding communities.

Kayli Yardley with the Forest Service says this is the optimal time to take care of the area before it’s too hot and while there’s still snow on the ridge.

Two helicopters, two fire engines and one handcrew are assigned to the fire.

Total acres burned as of Wednesday morning was 10.

Although this is in a prescribed burn area, officials didn’t say how much they expect to burn as the ignitions get underway.

Smoke plumes will be visible Wednesday and possibly Thursday in Beaver and the surrounding areas.