Oak Ridge Fire grows in size, residents under pre-evacuation notice

UPDATE: MONDAY 6/24/2024 2:07 p.m.

(PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo.) — THE USFS reported the Oak Ridge Fire in Pueblo County has grown to 30 acres.

According to the USFS, additional air resources have been ordered. Residents in Middle Creek Canyon are under a pre-evacuation notice.

The USFS is advising the community to be ready to leave should things change.

UPDATE: Crews battle Oak Ridge Fire by air and ground resources

UPDATE: MONDAY 6/24/2024 1:46 p.m.

THE USFS reported fire activity on the Oak Ridge Fire in Pueblo County has increased.

According to the USFS , crews have made it to the fires edge but have disengaged as they evaluate best tactics. A type one helicopter has been ordered to assist in aerial suppression.

The fire is approximately 5 acres.

UPDATE: MONDAY 6/24/2024 12:05 p.m.

The USFS gave an update on the Oak Ridge Fire burning in Pueblo County on Monday, June 24 and wrote that helicopters continue to drop water buckets over the fire and resources are working to gain access to the fire’s edge.

The size remains at 1.5 acres and is burning three miles northwest of Beulah. First reports of crews responding to the fire began at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 22.

UPDATE: SUNDAY 6/23/2024 5:15 p.m.

USFS reported that a type 1 and a type 3 helicopter are still doing bucket drops on the Oak Ridge Fire. An Air Attack platform continues to manage the airspace over the incident. In addition, a large air tanker has now accomplished four missions to the fire, dropping fire retardant.

UPDATE: SUNDAY 6/23/2024 1:31 p.m.

The USFS reports that the fire is now at 1.5 acres and remains creeping and smoldering in steep terrain. Multiple helicopters are engaging in bucket drops and a large air tanker has also been ordered to put retardant around the fire so that ground crews can safely hike to the fire after the retardant drops.

UPDATE: Helicopters continue to douse Oak Ridge Fire

SUNDAY 6/23/2024 7:01 a.m.

According to the Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District, as of 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, the fire spread to a quarter of an acre, but there is still no threat to the community. The fire is creeping and smoldering in steep terrain.

USFS reports that ground support and bucket drops from helicopters continue.

ORIGINAL STORY: Helicopter responding to Oakridge Fire in Pueblo County

SATURDAY 6/22/2024 01:34 p.m.

A little after 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, The Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District reported that it was investigating a small fire with visible smoke in the National Forest northwest of Beulah Highlands.

The fire, which is in Pueblo County, one mile from the Custer County line, is confirmed to be a single, downed tree that is burning, according to Beulah Fire Protection. There are currently no concerns for the public at this time, as the fire is reported to be about two ridges away from Beulah Highlands. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is responding.

As of 1 p.m., the US Forest Service reported that it had deployed a helicopter, USFS engines, and crews to the fire. According to USFS, the fire is “smoldering & creeping in mix conifer understory.”

FOX21 News is following the situation and will provide updates as they are available.

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