The lighting-sparked Oak Ridge fire burning in Pueblo County grew to 787 acres Wednesday and is still uncontained, fire officials said in an update.
The fire was reported Saturday morning in southwest Pueblo County, 3 miles northwest of Beulah, and 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.
Katie Langford
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