Four controlled fires were blazing Saturday in the Dixie National Forest.

The fires started naturally, but officials were allowing them to continue to burn — although controlled — to benefit both the ecosystem and public safety, according to a spokesman for the Forest Service. The natural fires can assist in reducing unhealthy numbers of trees, burn understory, regenerate aspen trees, create a better habitat for wildlife and reduce the risk of dangerously large fire, spokesman C. Kenton Call said in a statement.

The Forsyth Ridge, Fife Ridge, Straight Canyon, and Pine fires are all being actively managed by firefighters. For more information, visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or www.fs.fed.us/fire/fireuse.