NPS News:

Due to several days of higher humidity and rain, Bandelier National Monument and the Valles Caldera National Preserve will lift fire restrictions, including backcountry closures, at 8 a.m. Monday.

In addition, special use permittees and commercial use operators may resume their normal activities within the two National Park Service units.

“Even though the monsoons have begun, we’re still in drought conditions,” VCNP Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos said. “We ask that visitors continue to take appropriate precautions while enjoying our national parks and national forests.”

While 100 percent contained, the area surrounding the San Antonio Fire on the preserve’s north rim remains closed to public access. Visitors to the preserve’s backcountry are reminded to be courteous and cautious of fire crews who are still patrolling the fire.

Several criteria are used to determine when to implement fire restrictions, including fire activity levels, current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, and the availability of firefighting resources. Fire restriction criteria are routinely evaluated, and restrictions could be upgraded or downgraded at any time. Therefore, visitors should check the parks’ websites for alerts prior to their visit.

Know before you go. Fire restrictions in New Mexico can be found at www.firerestrictions.us/nm and fire updates are posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com.  

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov. Bandelier National Monument – www.nps.gov/band. Valles Caldera National Preserve – www.nps.gov/vall.