Press Release – March 31, 2026

Repair Begins as Containment Increases on Sago Fire

Acres: 282

Start Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Location: 19 Miles E of Mescalero, NM

Personnel: 99 personnel

Containment: 34%

Cause: Under investigation

Summary: Repair work begins on some containment lines around the Sago Fire today ascrews work to extinguish remaining hot spots.

An excavator will assist hand crews in suppression repair of containment lines. Repair includes pulling material over heavy equipment lines and hand lines and adding water bars where appropriate to limit erosion concerns.

The Mescalero Apache Tribe Blessing Run will take place on Wednesday, April 1, in the vicinity of the fire. The Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team will ensure participant safety by reducing fire traffic as appropriate.

Weather: Isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecasted this afternoon and tomorrow. While rain is expected to be spotty, relative humidity will be between 20% and 30%.

Safety: Members of the public should avoid Sago Canyon Road and Turkey Canyon Road while firefighting efforts are ongoing.

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