The Bear Springs Fire was started by lightning and reported on Sunday June 3, 2012 at 6:36pm. The fire is located approximately 6 miles NE of Ponderosa and 6 miles SE of Jemez Springs. As of today (6/7) just over 622 acres had been consumed with 75% containment. Much of the new growth in acreage is because of strategic backburn operations. Some crews have been released today, and demobilization will continue as the fire winds down. Smoke will continue to be visable for several days as interior fuels burn out.
Forest Road 266 and Paliza Campground, both near Ponderosa have been closed. No other campgrounds or recreation areas within the Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger District are affected by this fire. San Antonio, Redondo and Jemez Falls Campground as well as Fenton Lake State Park are all open for camping. Stage I Fire restrictions are in place within all of Santa Fe National Forest.