A wildfire in the Santa Fe National Forest was threatening to burn into Valles Caldera National Preserve/NPS file

Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico was closed Saturday due to a wildfire burning in the Santa Fe National Forest, while growing fire conditions prompted other park units in the region to institute restrictions on campfires, grills, lanterns, and smoking in the open.

The Cerro Pelado Fire, burning outside the south boundary of the preserve, was reported Friday afternoon. It started near Forest Road 10 and Highway 4 and was said to be burning in an area with many homes. It was reported to be nearly 5,000 acres in size Saturday morning, with no containment lines in place, burning through ponderosa and mixed conifer stands.

Thirty firefighters were on the scene Saturday morning, with more en route.

"The Cerro Pelado Fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain with heavy fuel loadings of dead and down timber," a New Mexico Fire Information release said. "Ponderosa pine in the lower elevations transitions to mixed conifer in the upper elevations."

A cold front passing through the area brought strong gusty winds, which weren't expected to diminish greatly before Sunday and Monday. With low humidity, dry fuels caused by low snowfall this winter, and relentless wind, this is a dangerous fire situation, said staff at Caldera Action, a nonprofit organization focused on the public lands of the Jemez Mountains, with a special emphasis on Valles Caldera and Bandelier National Monument.

"Unusually high winds hit hard ahead of a strong cold front," the U.S. Forest Service reported. "Conditions are ripe for rapid large fire growth with long-range spotting. Cold air moving in behind the front will result in below-normal temperatures this weekend, but windy conditions will continue. 

Evacuation orders had been issued for Sierra de Los Pinos and other communities near the Cerro Pelado Fire. The Jemez Mountain Baptist Church on NM Highway 126 was serving as an evacuation center, while Expo New Mexico at the NM State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque was available for livestock. 

Ironically, Friday morning the National Park Service instituted Stage II fire restrictions in Bandelier, Valles Caldera, Fort Union National Monument, and Pecos National Historical Park due to dangerously dry fuel moisture conditions. Under those restrictions, all fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal grills, and coal and wood stoves. The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, propane grills, or heating devices is allowed three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.

Smoking is prohibited, except in enclosed vehicles or buildings.

Also closed Saturday were Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Wupatki National Monument in Arizona, where the Tunnel Fire continued to burn largely out of control. The scenic loop drive that connects the monuments was also closed. 

Sunset Crater, located northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona, has been closed since Tuesday when the Tunnel Fire entered the park. According to the National Park Service, some buildings and vehicles had been lost to the flames, though an accurate assessment remained to be conducted.