Gila Las Cruces

Type 3 Incident Management Team

MARCUS CORNWELL – INCIDENT COMMANDER

Press Release – March 29, 2026

Firefighters Securing Perimeter of Smoldering Sago Fire

Acres: 300 

Start Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Location: 19 Miles E of Mescalero, NM

Personnel: 103 personnel

Containment: 0%

Cause: Under investigation

Summary: The Sago Fire on the Mescalero Reservation is smoldering and creeping within established containment lines. Firefighters are working directly along the fire’s edge to bolster the existing handlines, dozer lines and retardant lines.

Resources assigned to the fire include one hotshot crew, three water tenders, four bulldozers, seven engines, and one T2IA crew.

With decreasing fire behavior, the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team anticipates optimal conditions to accomplish the goals of this full suppression incident. The threat to values at risk, including Cow Camp Facilities three miles north of the fire, will continue to diminish.

The team is coordinating with the BIA, Mescalero Agency to assess necessary repair work once containment increases, and to ensure local residents and other members of the public receive timely and accurate information.

Weather: Sunday is forecasted to be partly cloudy with lows in the lower 40s and highs in the mid 70s. West winds are expected to be around 8 m.p.h. with gusts up to 20 m.p.h. Monday’s weather will be similar. On Tuesday, daytime temperatures will drop ten degrees while winds will increase slightly. Wednesday will bring a chance of precipitation.

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: 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.wildfire.gov/nmmea-sago-fire