Cienegita Fire contained to 37 acres on Mescalero Apache Reservation

A wildfire ignited on June 3 burning on the Mescalero Apache Reservation was reported more than 56% contained.

The fire, dubbed Cienegita Fire, is contained to 37 acres as of Tuesday morning, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs which has jurisdictional control of the incident. The BIA is assisted by the Mescalero Apache nation.

On June 5 the Pecos Incident Management Team 3 assumed management of the fire fight.

The management team reported that "crews are making excellent progress in containing the fire," in a news release, increasing its containment from 31% on Monday.

"Hand crews and aircraft have stopped forward progress of the fire and resources are continuing to construct handlines to enforce this containment," the news release read.

The fire did not force evacuations. However, communities in Lincoln County were asked to prepare at the onset of the blaze in case of evacuation, orders which were lifted June 5.

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The fire for a team forced officials to place the reservation in a "Stage III" closure, while fire fighters battled the blaze. Mescalero Apache Fire and Rescue indicated that the reservation was in an extreme level of fire danger.

The Cienegita Fire is consuming ponderosa pine, conifers and timber litter in the forest, officials said, making it difficult for firefighters. About 80 personnel are assigned to the fire.

Work continued Tuesday to contain the perimeter and mop up hot spots to prevent further spread of the wildfire.

Officials said temperatures in the area continue to be a threat as the Midland/Odessa station of the National Weather Service forecast regions of southeast New Mexico to reach and exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit this week.

Jessica Onsurez can be reached at jonsurez@gannett.com, @JussGREAT on Twitter at by phone at 575-628-5531.

This article originally appeared on Ruidoso News: Cienegita Fire on Mescalero Apache Reservation contained to 37 acres