Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Gila National Forest are implementing preventive measures as low humidity, warmer temperatures, high winds, and dry vegetation make forests highly susceptible to forest fires.
Implementation of the preventive measures starts on April 15, rating the fire danger as high. It will take effect until the fire danger subsides.
The measurements will prohibit some activities such as charcoal and wood fires, smoking except inside personal vehicles, and open flames and cooking stoves in the backcountry.
The Forest Service urges the public to remain vigilant of rising temperatures and high winds. It also encourages avoiding using items with an open flame or spark and ensuring cigarettes are extinguished in ashtrays.
For information on the Gila National Forest, visit their website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila and Carlsbad Caverns National Park at http://www.nps.gov/cave.
This article originally appeared on KTSM.