Lower temperatures and higher humidity have aided firefighting efforts on two fires burning in the Jemez Mountains.
The Mesa Camino Fire has burned about 832 acres, fire information officer Joan Hellen said early Thursday morning.
The Valle Fire, which is burning in the Valles Caldera National Preserve, has burned 140 acres.
The Mesa Camino Fire, which was intentionally set Monday as a prescribed burn, is located about five miles north of Coyote in the Santa Fe National Forest. High winds, which were not in the forecast for that day, rapidly carried the flames beyond the prescribed burn area, officials said.
Forest Roads 64, 77 and 170 have been closed due to safety concerns, Hellen said.
The fire moved into part of the Rio Chama Wilderness area Wednesday, Hellen said.
Fire crews have gotten clearance to use a helicopter to drop water in that area, said Dolores Maese, spokeswoman for the Santa Fe National Forest.
The fire, which is burning oak, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer trees, is 70 percent contained, Hellen said.
About 150 acres of the burned land is within the boundaries of the prescribed burn area.
The fire is burning in a remote location and is not threatening any structures or private land, Hellen said.
Currently, about 195 people have assigned to the blaze, Maese said.
A Type II fire management crew took control of the firefighting operations Thursday morning, Hellen said. It will also begin managing the Valle Fire on Friday.
This will allow Santa Fe National Forest resources to be available for initial attack on other fires that could break out over the Memorial Day weekend, Hellen said.
The Valle Fire is burning in mixed conifer trees. It caused problems for firefighters because it's in rugged, steep terrain with heavy fuel, Hellen said.
The blaze is burning in the preserve about four miles north of N.M. 4. The fire was not threatening any structures and was 5 percent contained.
About 157 people are assigned to the fire.
Forest officials around the state asked the public to be especially careful with campfires during the approaching holiday weekend.
Approximately 90 percent of all wildfires are human-caused, Maese said.
She advised campers to clear campfire sites down to bare soil, build a ring out of rocks, build the fire away from overhanging branches, steep slopes or dry grass and make sure the fire site is cold to the touch before leaving the area.
