Gila Las Cruces Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team Takes Command of Sago Fire

Acres: ~250

Start Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Location: 19 Miles E of Mescalero, NM

Personnel: 133 personnel

Containment: 0%

Cause: Under investigation

Summary: Command of the Sago Fire on the Mescalero Reservation was transferred to the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team yesterday at 5 p.m.

Three miles south of Cow Camp Facilities, the fire was reported early Thursday afternoon. Very dry fuel and high winds added to the fire spread. On the ground, engine and hot shot crews began establishing containment lines around the fire, while bulldozers built line in the more accessible areas. Support from large air tankers also helped slow the fire’s spread.

Friday morning, the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team mobilized in preparation to take over command of the fire from Type 4 team incident commander Nick Garcia. The team was in-briefed at noon.

The Sago Fire is a full suppression incident. It is currently burning in tall grass, piñon and juniper trees. Crews are actively working to improve and keep the fire within established retardant lines, handlines, and dozer lines.

Weather: Calmer winds will bring relief Saturday, but gusts could blow up to 20 m.p.h. The forecast shows sun with a high of 62 degrees. While the low drops to 35 overnight, Sunday’s highs will climb to 70 degrees.

Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area. Unauthorized drone use poses a serious risk to aerial firefighting operations. If you fly, we can’t.

Closures: Although no closure orders are in effect, members of the public should avoid Sago Canyon Road and Turkey Canyon Road to enhance firefighter safety.

Fire Restrictions:

• Class III High Fire Danger Restrictions are in effect on the Mescalero Reservation. This means campfires are permissible only within the designated camp areas of Silver Lake. Smoking outdoors is permitted when extinguished in a proper container. Fireworks of any kind are never permitted during High Fire Danger. There are no restrictions on the use of charcoal grills and wood-burning stoves. Dwellings with fireplaces or wood burning stoves shall have proper screens installed to prevent the escape of burning embers. Chainsaws and other internal or external combustion engines must always be equipped with a properly functioning spark arrestor. Precautionary measures and required fire equipment are in effect for all forest-related contract work and will be implemented by contract administrators. Be cautious while driving in the forest and through tall grass.
• The Village of Ruidoso is observing Level 1 fire restrictions as detailed at ruidoso-nm.gov/fire-restrictions.
• The Lincoln National Forest also implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions this week. Read the forest order at fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/alerts/order-03-08-26-001-stage-1-fire-restrictions.
• The Bureau of Land Management imposed fire restrictions on public land in Lincoln County too. Details are available at blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2026-01/fire-prevention-order-blm-nm-910-2026-01.pdf.

Smoke: For real-time smoke conditions, visit fire.airnow.gov.

For more information:

Public Information Officer: Jennifer Olson, 2026.sago@firenet.gov

Incident Information: inciweb-testing.fs2c.usda.gov/nmmea-sago-fire