Skyranger surveys Bear Springs Fire

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A new wildfire is threatening historic and Native American sites in the Jemez Mountains.

The Bear Springs fire started Sunday evening and by Tuesday had burned about 190 acres.

KRQE News 13 pilot reporter Bob Martin has the latest from Skyranger.

The bear springs fire is burning on Santa Fe National Forest land about six miles southeast of Jemez Springs and not immediately threatening any inhabited areas.

However, leaders at the nearby Jemez Pueblo say a number of their cultural sites are threatened, as well as a historic fire lookout tower.

The blaze was ignited by lightning Sunday, which continued Monday. There were more than a thousand lightning strikes recorded across the Jemez Mountains.

South and southeast winds have been pushing the fire to the north and northwest.

About 160 firefighters have been working on the ground and in the air, but rugged terrain has been hampering their efforts.

If the fire grows much bigger it may run into the old Las Conchas and Guacamalla fire burn areas just to the north which would act as a containment lines along that front.

Other roads in the area may also be used as containment barriers.

Otherwise, firefighters are building firebreaks where they can and using helicopters to drop water and retardant.

In some cases they're conducting burnouts of low-lying brush and grass ahead of the main fire.