SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) -- A fire east of the Gila Cliff Dwellings visitors center has burned about 90 acres, fire officials said Tuesday.
The fire eight miles from the cliff dwellings and about 40 miles north of Silver City was reported Monday afternoon.
A dozen firefighters were ferried to the area by helicopter, and other firefighters were sent in later.
The blaze was initially estimated at 5 acres, but quickly grew, firefighters said.
Fire information officer Loretta Benavides said the fire grew on the east side Tuesday by a few acres. More accurate mapping of the boundaries was planned, she said.
The blaze was burning in ponderosa pine, pinon and juniper and grass, she said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A fire that broke out Friday east of Taos in northern New Mexico's Carson National Forest was being allowed to burn itself out because of abundant moisture.
The lightning-caused fire in the Valle Escondido area had burned a tenth of an acre by Monday. Fire officials decided to leave it alone because it's confined by snow banks, roads and natural barriers, said Dorotea Martinez, fire information officer for the Carson.
Firefighters will monitor it until it's out, she said.
