Update: Cienigita Fire on Mescalero Reservation - June 7, 2022

Quick Facts Cienegita Fire

Size: 37 acres 
Containment: 95% 
Road Closures  None 
Evacuations in “Go”: None 
Resources on the Fires: None
Total Personnel: 33
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, remains at 37 acres. Crews and aerial resources made excellent progress over the past day bringing the fire’s total containment to 95%.  All resources have been removed from the fire due to a 30% chance of precipitation tomorrow and the following day. The Smokey Bear Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) and two helicopters will remain nearby the scene to monitor the fire area tomorrow, as weather permits.    The two other IHCs and a Type 1 helicopter will be assigned to the nearby Lincoln National Forest (Pecos Zone) to be utilized, if needed.   

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

Operational Update: Little to no smoke from the fire is now visible. All resources have been removed from the fire to avoid any transportation issues due to possible thunderstorms tomorrow. If weather permits, aerial resources will monitor the fire tomorrow. Additionally, ground resources will be dropped with assisting aircraft water drops, if there is a need.  

Resources on the Fire: All resources have been removed from the fire. The Smokey Bear IHC, one Type 2 helicopter, one Type 3 helicopter, and Pecos Incident Management Team Type 3, will remain on the scene near the fire. The Idaho IHC, Lone Peak IHC and one Type 1 helicopter will be assigned to the nearby Lincoln National Forest (Pecos Zone) to be utilized, if needed.   

Weather: Weather remains in the high 80s with light gusts of wind. There is a 30% chance of precipitation tomorrow and the following day, 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. 

There are currently no Ruidoso neighborhoods in any phase of the READY, SET, GO evacuation status.

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/