Sago Fire Update, Sunday March 29, 2026:

by Mescalero Apache Tribe | March 29, 2026 9:50 am

Sago Fire Update – Important Community Information

We are reaching out to provide you with the latest updates on the Sago Fire, which has now affected approximately 300 acres on the Mescalero Reservation since it was reported on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The fire is currently located 19 miles east of Mescalero, NM, and is being managed by the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team.

Current Situation:

• Personnel Involved: There are 103 dedicated firefighters actively working on the front lines.
• Containment Status: The fire is currently at 0% containment but is smoldering and creeping along the established containment lines. Firefighters are diligently working to reinforce the handlines, dozer lines, and retardant lines.
• Fire Behavior: With a decrease in fire activity, the team anticipates favorable conditions to achieve the goals of this full suppression incident. The threat to nearby values at risk, particularly the Cow Camp Facilities located three miles north of the fire, is gradually decreasing.
• Coordination Efforts: The team is collaborating with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)and the Mescalero Agency to assess necessary repairs once containment improves, ensuring that local residents and the public receive timely and accurate updates.

Weather Forecast:

• Sunday: Expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures ranging from the lower 40s at night to the mid 70s during the day. Winds will be from the west at around 8 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
• Monday: Similar weather conditions are anticipated.
• Tuesday: Daytime temperatures will decrease by about ten degrees, and winds are expected to pick up slightly.
• Wednesday: There is a chance of precipitation.

Safety Guidelines:

• Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A flight restriction is currently in effect over the fire area. We urge everyone to avoid flying drones, as their unauthorized use poses a significant risk to aerial firefighting operations.
• Road Advisory: For the safety of our firefighting personnel, please avoid Sago Canyon Road and Turkey Canyon Road.

Fire Restrictions:

• Class III High Fire Danger is in effect on the Mescalero Reservation:
• Campfires are only allowed in designated areas, specifically at Silver Lake.
• No fireworks are permitted during this high fire danger period.
• Smoking outdoors is allowed only if properly extinguished in a container.
• There are no restrictions on using charcoal grills and wood-burning stoves, but homes with fireplaces or wood stoves must have proper screens to contain embers.
• Chainsaws and combustion engines must be equipped with functioning spark arrestors.

Acknowledgment:
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible teams working tirelessly on the fire lines today. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. The resources currently deployed include:

• 7 fire engines
• 3 water tenders
• 4 bulldozers
• 1 hotshot crew
• 1 twenty-person contract crew
• 1 helicopter base manager

Thank you for your support and cooperation during this critical time. We will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available. Please stay safe!

Source URL: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com/25465/sago-fire-update-sunday-march-29-2026/

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