The Mescalero Agency consists of the following branches of service for the one Federally-recognized tribes under their jurisdiction:
- Office of the Superintendent - Charles Riley
- Branch of Administration - Velda Garcia
- Branch of Social Services - Shayne Dickenson-Hall
- Branch of Natural Resources - Gregory Mendez
- Branch of Facilities Management - Vacant
- Branch of Forestry - Vacant
- Branch of Fire Management - Michael S. Smith
- Office of Justice Services - Gary Lamere
The tribe serviced is the Mescalero Apache Tribe. This tribe includes approximately 3,979 members who are eligible to receive various services through their tribal office.
2024 South Fork and Salt Wildfires
The South Fork and Salt Fires were reported June 17, 2024. The fires started on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and spread under high winds into the Village of Ruidoso, causing the evacuation of approximately 9,000 residents. A Complex Incident Management Team took command of both fires June 19. The Tribe issued an emergency declaration and activated the tribal Emergency Operations Center on June 18. Mescalero and the Village of Ruidoso were under mandatory evacuation orders affecting approximately 9,000 residents. BIA liaisons from the Offices of Emergency Management, Wildland Fire, and Justice Services were on location supporting the Tribe, emergency operations centers, and incident information. Fire information was provided online and through several social channels, including Mescalero Apache Tribal Facebook page.
On June 18, at the request of the bureau, wildland fire investigators and law enforcement officers from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Bureau of Land Management, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New Mexico State Parks, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation began an investigation into the cause of the South Fork and Salt Wildfires. On July 3, the bureau announced the South Fork fire was caused by lightning. On July 16, the bureau announced that a comprehensive investigative report was in development and will be released as soon as it becomes available. Information was shared through the Bureau of Indian Affair's Facebook page.
Law Enforcement
The Office of Justice Services provide direct service law enforcement services to the Mescalero Agency. Services entail providing uniform patrol officers that enforce federal and tribal codes, and a criminal investigation unit that investigates major crimes.
On Sunday, July 9, 2023, at approximately 10:45 p.m., a Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officer from the Mescalero Agency responded to a service call on the Mescalero Reservation that resulted in an officer involved shooting. Read the full press statement.
Contact Us
Mescalero Agency
Bureau of Indian Affairs
P.O. Box 189
Mescalero, NM 88340
Physical Address:
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Mescalero Agency
604 Lipan Ave
Mescalero, NM 88340
Telephone: (575) 464-4419 or (575) 464-4410
Telefax: (575) 464-4899
