Lightning sparked a new fire in Mesa Verde National Park on Monday evening, shutting down part of the park, according to the National Park Service.
As of Tuesday morning, the Wetherill Mesa area was closed to the public for the wildfire, which had consumed roughly half an acre, or 21,780 square feet, . The closure includes the entire Wetherill Mesa Road and the Long House and Step House cliff dwellings, park officials said.
Main Park Road, Cliff Palace Loop, Mesa Top Loop, Morefield Campground and the Far View area, including the lodge, remain open, .
The fire was first reported in Long Canyon at approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday, Mesa Verde officials said in the release.
“Aircraft will be visible along the Main Park Road,” officials stated. “If you are in the area, please do not block traffic to observe them.”
Colorado wildfires: Aspen Acres fire jumps to 93,000 acres, destroys 263 homes; Ferris fire grows
Mesa Verde National Park . The prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal or wood stove; outdoor smoking; using explosives, incendiary devices or internal combustion engines; and parking off-road in areas that are not cleared of flammable materials, .
"The likelihood of large destructive wildfires in Mesa Verde National Park is increasing due to increased fuel loadings and recent drought conditions, posing threats to the park's infrastructure, cultural and natural resources, and human safety," park officials wrote on a .
Information about the cause of the fire was not immediately available on Tuesday.
The Long Canyon fire is one of several active Colorado wildfires that, as of Tuesday, have together consumed more than 180,000 acres, or 283 square miles -- more than five times the size of the city of Pueblo.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
