(CUSTER/PUEBLO COUNTIES, Colo.) — The Oak Ridge Fire remains at 1,190 with 5 percent containment as reported by fire crews on Tuesday, July 2. Now, they plan to expand it and fight it “their way.”
According to Matt Holte, Operations Section Chief Trainee, crews have been working on setting a perimeter area to begin burning other acreage and control the fire. Holte said crews are moving into a “transition point” in the fire.
“In the next couple of days, we will start aerial ignition where we are bringing this fire down to our lines where we can fight it safely,” said Holte.
Lines have been placed around different sections near North Creek, another near the end of Silver Circle Trail, and the last near Potato Park. Holte said these lines are prepped and ready to go, although they still need to tie a line to the Junkins Fire burn scar.
The map shows the lines that have been placed around the perimeter. Black lines show where crews are working on setting the boundaries, while the red lines show where the fire currently stands as of July 2.
Contingency lines are being laid between Middle Creek and Squirrel Creek through the north side of the Pueblo Mountain Park.
To control the fire, Holte said they plan to add three more divisions in addition to A, K, and U and more branches to manage the fire.
Holte said the fire is expected to increase between 6500 to 7000 acres.
“In the next couple of days, we’re going to start drying out today and probably by Thursday we are going to be looking at having the conditions where we can start this aerial ignition using drones to bring it down very slowly, very controlled, to get the appropriate fire effects that we want to mitigate the long term risk to the watersheds and the communities.”
While fire crews work on setting lines, the Structure Protection Group continues to monitor Middle Creek, North Creek, and Squirrel Creek. Holte said they are focusing on the Fairview community around the 165 corridor and should be wrapping up within the next day or so.
Communities surrounding the fire should expect to see a “lot more” people around as crews will be scouting the area.
