Firefighters grappled with red flag conditions Sunday against a fire that threatened Chiricahua National Monument/NPS

A human-caused wildfire that grew to 1,200 acres Sunday led to evacuation of staff and visitors from Chiricahua National Monument, which was closed due to the fire.

The Arizona fire started on private land on Saturday, and since has moved to the north and east onto Chiricahua National Monument and the Coronado National Forest. With red flag conditions in Arizona, the fire was aggressively attacked, with 250 personnel, nine fire engines, two helicopters, and four hot shot teams trained to get close to the flames to build fire lines. More personnel and equipment resources had been requested.

"The fire is burning actively, flanking and making uphill runs, both terrain and wind driven, to the north and east," fire bosses reported Sunday. "Short range spotting has been observed. This fire behavior is expected to continue with the current weather pattern. Growth potential is high."

The weather forecast for the area near Wilcox, Arizona, predicted wind gusts of up to 35 mph.

"Firefighters are working to help protect structures in the Chiricahua National Monument headquarters area and are scouting ahead to plan for point source protection for the lookout tower," the daily report noted. "Crews are also scouting head for options to provide structure protection in the White Tail Canyon area. ...  Aerial resources are limited in their ability to work within Chiricahua National Monument due to the steep terrain. There are limited water sources in the area. Warmer, drier weather and high winds are expected to continue."

Sunday morning the fire was reported to be "approximately one mile south of park infrastructure including headquarters buildings, employee housing, a campground and the historic Faraway Ranch."