Residents in the Payson area may see smoke on the horizon over the next few days. Fire managers in that district will be burning debris piles starting Monday.

Sandra Moore, spokesperson for the Tonto National Forest, officials they will conduct the prescribed burns as conditions allow.

“The forecast shows some precipitation for the north zone of the forest which will help fire from spreading into the surrounding vegetation during the operations,” she said.

Moore said the purpose is to lower the threat of high intensity wildfires.The burns will continue through Friday.