The Oak Ridge Fire, burning near Beulah, is 787 acres and 0% contained

BEULAH, Colo. — The Oak Ridge Fire near Beulah has grown to 787 acres and is 0% contained, according to fire officials.

The fire, initially reported June 22, is burning three miles northwest of Beulah. A lightning strike sparked the fire, according to Rocky Mountain Region Complex Incident Management Team 3. This team took over management of the fire at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Teams are now working to build direct and indirect fire lines. They built a direct line on the eastern edge of the fire perimeter to prevent the fire from getting any closer to Beulah.

“They have begun structural protection measures and plan to install pipes and sprinkler systems to protect at-risk structures,” the leadership team said. “Firefighters monitor the fire perimeter to determine where they can construct an indirect fire line that keeps firefighters safe while protecting at-risk values.”

Thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon could bring wind gusts between 45 and 60 mph to the fire. Small hail and brief heavy rain are possible. Weather permitting, aerial resources will assist firefighters on the ground.

The fire is active on all sides, the management team said, and will likely spread in all directions.

Middle Creek Road is currently closed. Houses along this road are subject to mandatory evacuation.

Residents in the Vine Mesa, Cascade Avenue, Pine Avenue and Beulah Highland Road areas are under an advance evacuation order and should be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Learn more about evacuations here.

Inversions will cause wildfire smoke to settle at lower elevations. An air quality health advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday for western Pueblo County and eastern Custer County, according to the Department of Public Health and Colorado Environment.

For more information on the Oak Ridge Fire, call 719-315-1536 or email [email protected].

Oak Ridge Fire Update