Oak Ridge Fire Continues to Spread to 1,190 Acres, Containment Rises to 5%

Norishka Pachot and Brett Yager

19 minutes ago

Courtesy of Oak Ridge Fire 2024

UPDATE: MONDAY 07/01/2024 10:50 a.m.

(PUEBLO/CUSTER COUNTIES, Colo.) — Firefighters will hold a community meeting to provide more information about the Oak Ridge Fire on Monday, July 1.

Fire managers, representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and Pueblo County will be on hand to provide information on current and future fire activities, in addition to answering questions from the community.

The meeting will be held at the Grandpasture Barn located at 7970 CO-78 in Beulah.

MONDAY 01/07/2024 9:30 a.m.

A Monday, July 1 morning update on the Oak Ridge Fire indicated the fire remained at 1,190 acres and containment had increased to approximately 5%.

According to fire officials, rain and cloud cover over the weekend helped crews continue to set up hand lines and “encircle” the fire. Crews said the fire is now 5% contained and fire officials are confident the containment line will hold west of Beulah.

Fire crews said the containment percentage could decrease as strategic fire operations begin and the fire size increases. In a Facebook update, Oak Ridge Fire crews explained that the amount of fireline contained relative to the total size of the fire determines containment percentages.

The Oak Ridge Fire in Pictures

“Containment” refers to the portion of the fire perimeter that has been surrounded by a control line through which the fire will not advance. Rather than describing the portion of the fire that has been extinguished, containment refers only to the perimeter itself and its potential for growth.”

Fire crews said that due to the extreme terrain and hazard values ​​near the fire's perimeter, fire officials are taking extra precautions before indicating any part of the fire line is contained.

“The incident management team will only change the status of an area to 'content' if there is no heat on the perimeter, no chance of heat developing in that area and when the line has been tested and proven to be resistant whatever the weather conditions,” write the firefighters.