THREE RIVERS, N.M. — Officials now put the size of a wildfire in southern-central New Mexico mountains at less than half of a previous estimate as they report progress in containing the blaze.
Officials said Friday that mapping of the fire after an aerial reconnaissance flight using infrared sensing put it at 5,557 acres. That's down from the previous estimate of 12,000 acres.
Officials cited damp conditions expected to lessen by Saturday as they said crews had the fire contained around 13% of its perimeter.
The fire started Monday and its cause remained under investigation. Evacuation notices were lifted Tuesday for most areas in the vicinity of the fire.