A wildfire burning in southwest Pueblo County grew by 270 acres on Monday, prompting mandatory evacuations and pre-evacuation warnings.

The Oak Ridge fire had no containment as of 7:20 p.m., fire officials said in a post on Facebook.

Flames were first reported 3 miles northwest of Beulah on Saturday morning and the wildfire grew from 5 acres at 1:32 p.m. Monday to 275 acres within six hours.

The fire is burning in a mix of conifer, according to U.S. Forest Service staff.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for Middle Creek Canyon Road in Beulah on Monday afternoon because of the fire and set up a Red Cross reception center at the St. Charles Mesa Recreation Center, 1650 Cooper Place.

Residents on Vine Mesa, Cascade Avenue, Pine Avenue and Beulah Highlands Road are on pre-evacuation and should be ready to evacuate if needed, according to the agency.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

Originally Published: June 24, 2024 at 4:38 p.m.