Oak Ridge Fire in Pueblo County grows to more than 1,000 acres

A wildfire sparked by lightning continued to grow Wednesday and is now burning more than 1,008 acres in southwest Pueblo County.

The Oak Ridge fire remains out of control, fire officials said in an update Wednesday evening.

The fire, which broke out Saturday morning three miles northwest of the town of Beulah, closed 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 region.

Fire crews attacked the blaze from the air Wednesday to slow the fire's progress until firefighters could build 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 prevent the fire from advancing toward the town of Beulah, according to the update.

Wind gusts of up to 80 km/h, caused by afternoon and evening thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday, are expected to fuel the fire's growth, firefighters said. Drier conditions are expected Friday and Saturday.

The forecast could also bring inversions, which would cause smoke to build up at lower elevations, firefighters said.

If the smoke becomes too thick, people should stay indoors, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment said in an advisory. People with heart or respiratory conditions, young children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to wildfire smoke, the alert said.

The air quality alert for western Pueblo and eastern Custer counties remains in effect through Thursday morning.

The National Forest Service has closed the Pike-San Isabel National Forest west of Beulah until July 26. The closure extends from Colorado 78 south, Colorado 165 west and Forest Road 386 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.

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