(PUEBLO/CUSTER COUNTIES, Colo.) — The Oak Ridge Fire, which began on Saturday, June 22 near Beulah in Pueblo County has now grown to 787 acres with 0% containment as of the latest update posted on Tuesday evening, June 25, and now a new team is taking command of the incident.
Early on Wednesday morning, June 26, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three, arrived in the area to begin management of the fire, and according to the Oak Ridge Fire Facebook page, a daily update on the fire will be released later on Wednesday.
The latest map of the fire’s perimeter shows it has officially crossed into Custer County.
Fire perimeter as of Wednesday morning, June 26, 2024:
On Tuesday, several fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft provided support to crews on the ground with water drops over the flames. Video of a Sky Crane was captured as its sucked water into its interior tank.
Also on Tuesday, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment sent out an Air Quality Advisory for Pueblo County as it is being impacted by wildfire smoke. Those who live in the area should try to remain indoors and limit outdoor activity if smoke becomes thick in their neighborhoods; this is especially important for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults.
“Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill,” wrote the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment. “If visibility is less than five miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.”
Meanwhile, mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for Middle Creek Canyon Road, along with pre-evacuation orders for Cascade Avenue, Pine Avenue, Beulah Highland Road, and Vine Mesa. Officials are also asking people who do not live near Beulah to avoid the area at this time.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross are assisting at the evacuation center for community members, which is located at the St. Charles Mesa Recreation Center at 1650 Cooper Place in Pueblo. There’s also a shelter for livestock only at 4 Bar S, located at 6675 CO-78.
FOX21 News will continue to monitor the fire’s progress and will update this article as information comes in.
