Press Release – April 1, 2026

Local Fire Resources Come Together on the Sago Fire

Acres: 282

Start Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

Location: 19 Miles E of Mescalero, NM

Personnel: 95 personnel

Containment: 53% 

Cause: Under investigation

Summary: A mix of local fire resources continue to improve containment on the Sago Fire, extinguishing remaining hotspots along fire lines. Having successfully contained 53% of the Sago Fire, crews began repair work with support from Mescalero Tribal heavy equipment along contained portions of the perimeter.

During the morning briefing Tuesday, firefighters working the Sago Fire were privileged to hear an honor song by Horace Comanche, who was the first Apache smokejumper and is a tribal elder. A member of both the Mescalero Apache and Chiricahua Apache tribes, Comanche is the engine boss on a Three Rivers Engine with crewmates Sebastian Martinez and Mason McFarlin. He said the song is meant to honor those who have come before and those still doing the work here today. Sharing music is one way he and other elders ensure their traditions live on.

With a career in wildland fire longer than his crewmates’ entire lives so far, Comanche remembers a time when the tribe didn’t fight fire. Now, there’s an expectation to do so. “We’re a firefighting community,” he said.

Weather: Today’s forecast shows a 40% chance of afternoon showers and a high of 66 degrees. Southwest winds of between 8 and 12 m.p.h. may gust to 40 m.p.h. Thursday also brings a chance of precipitation.

Safety: During the Mescalero Apache Tribe Blessing Run today, the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team will reduce fire traffic as appropriate to support participant safety. Members of the public should avoid Sago Canyon Road and Turkey Canyon Road during ongoing firefighting efforts.

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 is also in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. 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