Newly mapped New Mexico wildfire smaller than estimated

THREE RIVERS, N.M. (AP) - Officials now put the size of a wildfire in southern-central New Mexico mountains at less than half of a previous estimate and reporting progress in containing the blaze.

Mapping of the fire near the Ski Apache resort after an aerial reconnaissance flight using infrared sensing put it at 5,557 acres (22.5 square kilometers) , down from the previous estimate of 12,000 acres (49 square kilometers) as of Thursday, officials said in a statement Friday.

Aided by damp conditions expected to lessen by Saturday, crews had the fire contained around 13% of its perimeter, the statement said.

The fire started Monday near the Three Rivers Campground and its cause remained under investigation.

Evacuation notices were lifted Tuesday for most areas in the vicinity of the fire.