Dry conditions are prompting federal officials to impose more fire restrictions in New Mexico.
The Bureau of Land Management will be implementing restrictions across 2.5 million acres in central New Mexico starting May 20. The area includes Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, McKinley, Sandoval, Socorro and Valencia counties.
Campfires as well as charcoal, coal and wood stoves will be prohibited under the BLM restrictions. Smoking will also be limited to vehicles, buildings and developed recreation sites.
The BLM's Pecos and Las Cruces districts have also implemented fire restrictions.
On the Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico, Stage I restrictions will go into effect May 21.
Forest Supervisor Kelly Russell says it's critical to reduce the potential for any additional fire starts during this period of drought and high fire danger.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.