Oak Ridge fire burning in Pueblo County grows to over 1,000 acres
Firefighters are focusing on the eastern edge of the fire to keep flames from advancing toward the town of Beulah, officials said
A lightning-sparked wildfire continued to grow Wednesday and is now burning more than 1,008 acres in southwestern Pueblo County.
The Oak Ridge fire remains uncontained, fire officials said in a Wednesday evening update.
The fire, which sparked Saturday morning three miles northwest of the town of Beulah, prompted the closure of part of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest and homes along Middle Creek Canyon Road remain under mandatory evacuation orders.
An air quality health advisory is also in effect for the area.
Fire crews attacked the fire from the sky Wednesday to slow down the fire’s progression until firefighters could construct fire lines from the ground along the fire’s edge, the U.S. Forest Service said in its update.
Firefighters are focusing on the eastern edge of the fire to keep the fire from advancing toward the town of Beulah, according to the update.
Gusty winds, up to 50 mph, brought by afternoon and evening thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday are expected to fuel the fire’s growth, fire officials said. Drier conditions are expected Friday and Saturday.
The forecast could also bring inversions, which will cause smoke to settle in lower elevations, fire officials said.
If the smoke becomes too thick, people should remain indoors, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment said in an advisory. Those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, young children and older adults may be more vulnerable to wildfire smoke, the alert said.
The air quality alert for western Pueblo and eastern Custer counties remains in effect until Thursday morning.
The National Forest Service closed the Pike-San Isabel National Forest west of Beulah through July 26. The closure spans Colorado 78 from the south, to Colorado 165 to the west, and Forest Road 386 to the north.
The following trails are closed: South Creek, Second Mace, Second Mace Spur, Silver Circle, Left Hand, Squirrel Creek, Mountain Park, Coupler and Middle Peak. Davenport campground, Second Mace/Squirrel Creek trailhead, Mingus Cabin, and Squirrel Creek Interpretive site are also closed due to the fire.
