Update: Cienigita Fire on Mescalero Reservation - June 6, 2022 at 7:00 pm

Quick Facts Cienegita Fire

Size: 37 acres 
Containment: 56% 
Road Closures  None 
Evacuations in “Go”: None 
Resources  on the Fires: 3 IHCs, 3 helicopters and Type 3 Team 
Total Personnel: 80 
Jurisdiction: BIA, Mescalero Agency 
Managed by: Pecos Incident Management Team 3 
IMT3 Incident Commander: J.W. McCoy 
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8132/ 

Ruidoso, NM – The Cienegita Fire, located approximately four miles northwest of the Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, has maintained 37 acres. Crews are making excellent progress in containing the fire, which has resulted in a 31% jump in containment since yesterday’s update, amounting to a total of 56% containment. Hand crews and aircraft have stopped forward progress of the fire and resources are continuing to construct handlines to enforce this containment.  

There are no mandatory evacuation notices in effect.  

The fire is burning ponderosa pine, mixed conifer and timber litter in an area that is difficult and hazardous to access. This presents significant safety concerns for firefighters working diligently to contain the fire. Hand crews and aircraft are working to stop the fire’s growth. 

Evacuation Notices in “Ready”: All notices for the Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County were lifted yesterday evening, June 5. 

Management Objective: To contain the fire’s perimeter within the smallest footprint possible while ensuring public and firefighter safety.  

Operational Update: The Lone Peak IHC was flown to the fire this morning to support suppression and containment efforts. All crews are continuing to work the fire directly to secure containment of the perimeter and mop up hot spots and spot fires. Aircraft will continue to drop water on the fire through today and tomorrow.  

Resources on the Fire: Smokey Bear Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC), Idaho IHC, Lone Peak IHC, one Type 1 helicopters, one Type 2 helicopter, one Type 3 helicopter and Pecos Incident Management Team Type 3. A Type 3 rappel helicopter has been ordered and is expected to arrive on the scene tomorrow.   

Weather: In the high 80s with light gusts of wind. There is a 10% chance of precipitation tomorrow, June 7, and 30% chance of precipitation the following two days, June 8-9. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always our priority. Please stay away from the fire area to allow fire personnel to perform their duties.  

Primary and Cooperating Agencies: Mescalero Tribal President and Staff, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mescalero Conservation Office, and other cooperating entities. 

A fire update will be release when significant activity occurs. Visit InciWeb for the most current fire information. 

The Cienegita wildfire started on 6/3/2022 on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, four miles northwest of the Village of Ruidoso. Incident information is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8132/