The Latest: Evacuation lifted for homes near New Mexico fire

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Latest on wildfires and fire restrictions in New Mexico (all times local): 10 a.m. Authorities say the evacuation of more than 150 homes in the mountains east of Albuquerque has been lifted as firefighters get a handle on the latest blaze burning in New Mexico. The fire started Wednesday afternoon. It took crews a few hours to slow the flames and families were allowed to return to their homes by nightfall. The fire is now 75 percent contained. In northern New Mexico, crews have started rehabilitation work on a fire that has charred more than 11 square miles in the Bonita Canyon area. That fire was sparked by lightning nearly three weeks ago. With the hot, dry conditions persisting, officials on the Santa Fe and Cibola national forests have imposed fire restrictions in hopes of limiting the chance of more human-caused fires. ___ 2 a.m. Persistent hot, dry conditions have prompted forest officials in central New Mexico to impose more stringent fire restrictions. The Cibola National Forest says the restrictions apply to the Sandia and Mountainair ranger districts. The Mt. Taylor district in western New Mexico will enter stage-two restrictions later this week, which prohibit campfires and wood, coal and charcoal stoves. The district that covers the Datil, San Mateo and Magdalena mountains entered stage-one restrictions Wednesday. Officials say the restrictions are aimed at minimizing the possibility of human-caused fires as the fire danger increases due to weather conditions. Fireworks are also banned and smoking is allowed only in a vehicle or building or areas such as parking lots where there's no vegetation. There are fires burning in New Mexico but none is threatening any structures.