The lightning-sparked Oak Ridge fire burning in Pueblo County grew to 1,008 acres Wednesday and is still uncontained, fire officials said in an update.
The fire, which sparked Saturday morning in southwest Pueblo County, has forced the closure of part of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest and has caused an air quality health advisory for the area.
The fire, 3 miles northwest of Beulah, burned relatively slowly before growing by 270 acres over several hours Monday.
Homes along Middle Creek Canyon Road are still under mandatory evacuation orders, and homes on Vine Mesa, Cascade Avenue, Pine Avenue and Beulah Highlands Road are on pre-evacuation, fire officials said Wednesday.
Fire crews are working to construct fire lines along the fire’s edge as well as away from the fire’s edge and are mainly focusing on protecting structures, according to the update. Firefighters are focusing on the eastern edge to keep the fire from advancing toward Beulah.
The National Forest Service closed the Pike-San Isabel National Forests west of Beulah until July 26 because of the fire, from Forest Road 386 to the north to Colorado 78 to the south and Colorado 165 to the west.
Closed trails include South Creek, Second Mace, Second Mace Spur, Silver Circle, Left Hand, Squirrel Creek, Mountain Park, Coupler, Dome Rock and Middle Creek, according to the agency.
Davenport Campground, Second Mace/Squirrel Creek Trailhead, Mingus Cabin and Squirrel Creek Interpretive Site are also closed.
The area is also under an air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke, according to an alert issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for western Pueblo and eastern Custer counties.
A thunderstorm Wednesday afternoon could send smoke in any direction, with moderate to heavy smoke possible in Beulah as the wind dies down late Wednesday and early Thursday.
People may want to remain indoors if there’s thick smoke outside, including when visibility is less than 5 miles. People with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, young children and older adults may be more affected by wildfire smoke.
Originally Published: June 26, 2024 at 4:31 p.m.
