For Ted Onesalt of Santa Fe, new restrictions on use of the National Forest will throw many of his summer weekend plans out the door. Friday, he was soaking his feet in the Pecos River with some visiting family from Arizona. But the area is now off-limits to the public, along with much of the Santa Fe National Forest, because of the prolonged drought and high fire danger.

"There goes all the fun," Onesalt said. "But safety comes first."

Officers from the Santa Fe National Forest, Valles Caldera National Preserve and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish spent Friday putting up yellow and orange "Stop. No Entry. Fire Hazard" signs and closing gates to restricted areas around places such as Pecos, where Onesalt goes fishing three times a week. The areas will most likely be closed until the monsoons arrive in New Mexico.

"That's what we're all waiting for," said Lawrence Lujan, assistant public affairs officer for the Santa Fe National Forest.

On Thursday night, the Santa Fe National Forest supervisor and the interim executive director of the Valles Caldera National Preserve announced stage 3 fire restrictions beginning at 8 a.m. Friday.

Under stage 3, all areas are off-limits to all use unless specifically listed as open. Open areas remain under stage 2 fire restrictions, which ban campfires and stove fires, chain saws and acetylene torches.

With some exceptions for campgrounds, fishing access and picnic areas, the Cuba, Jemez, Pecos/Las Vegas and Española ranger districts, and the Valles Caldera National Preserve are closed.

This is the first time since 2004 that the Santa Fe National Forest has imposed stage 3 fire restrictions.

"We have been monitoring conditions closely, and based on current forecasted weather, prolonged drought conditions, fire danger and fuel moisture content, it is necessary to impose further restrictions to provide added protection for the public and natural and cultural resources," Maria Garcia, the Santa Fe National Forest supervisor, said in a news release.

There are recreational areas open to the public in places less threatened by current conditions both in the forest, the preserve and at Department of Game and Fish sites.

The Pecos National Historical Park on N.M. 63 remains open, with restrictions against campfires and off-road vehicles. The Bert Clancy, Terrero, Jamie Koch and Mora camping and fishing areas in Pecos Canyon will remain open with restrictions. Those restrictions include: no campfires, no open flames, no charcoal grills, no gas grills, no gas lanterns, no chain saws, no smoking (except in a vehicle with an ashtray or on a paved surface) and no fireworks.

All businesses in the areas affected will remain open for nature-hungry people traveling to the open campsites in the area.

Hiking is legal in the Rio Chama Wilderness, the San Pedro Parks Wilderness and in Pecos National Historic Park.

For more information on closings and restrictions on available camp and fishing sites, call the Santa Fe National Forest service fire hotline at 877-971-3473. For information on New Mexico Department of Game and Fish restrictions, call 476-8000. More information on all New Mexico fires can be found at www.nmfireinfo.com.

Contact Nico Roesler at 986-3084 or nroesler@sfnewmexican.com.