Rain helps crews mopping up wildfire that burned dozens of homes in Timberon

Rain is helping firefighters as they continue to mop up a wildfire that burned dozens of homes and other buildings in the southern New Mexico mountain village of Timberon.

An update Monday from fire managers say the fire is 80 percent contained, up from 60 percent Sunday.

The fire burned nearly half a square-mile as well as approximately 70 structures, including 44 homes, and numerous vehicles.

The fire started Wednesday and its cause is undetermined. Timberon is 25 miles southeast of Alamogordo.

Fire managers say a small amount of precipitation is helping firefighters as they continue to mop up after the fire and begin to focus on rehabilitation work.

Crews are cutting up large trees and running brush and small-diameter trees through a chipper.