Single Publication

The Oak Ridge Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy utilizing a combination of tactics: airtankers dropping retardant and helicopters dropping water to slow the fire spread, and constructing hand and dozer lines along the fire edge where it is safe. When direct access is not possible, indirect fire lines are constructed strategically where there is the highest probability of success in holding the fire and where the level of risks are commensurate with the threat to values at risk.

Current Situation
Firefighters made excellent progress yesterday constructing and reinforcing hand and dozer lines on the east and northeast fire perimeter, essentially creating a “catcher’s mitt” to keep the fire from spreading further toward Beulah. The remaining fire perimeter in the northern and western portion and to the south, is in steep and rugged terrain and unacceptable to safe ground operations. In those areas, aviation resources worked aggressively to slow the fire’s progression with airtankers dropping eight loads of retardant along the remaining fire perimeter and helicopters dropping water throughout the day to slow the fire’s progression. This is giving time for fire managers to scout areas where firefighters can safely construct indirect fire lines utilizing natural features like rock outcroppings, trails and roads.

Structure protection crews continued their work building on existing structure protection established by local units and the Beulah Fire Protection District. They are also scouting and assessing structures further away from the fire to the north and south so they can develop a structure protection plan for future use if needed.

There are a lot of unburned fuels inside the fire perimeter. Often when large columns of smoke are visible it’s because the fire has reached those areas and burning within the fire perimeter.

Weather & Smoke Information: A change in today’s weather patterns will bring cooler temperatures and an increase in humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms bring the potential for brief heavy rainfall and small hail and south-southwest winds with gusts up to 25-30 mph.

Inversions will cause smoke to settle in the lower elevations. To check the air quality in and around the Oak Ridge Fire go www.colorado.gov/airquality. For resources on how to mitigate the impacts of smoke go to www.airnow.gov/wildfires/.

Closures: The Middle Creek Road is closed.

Evacuations: Homes along the Middle Creek Canyon Road are under a mandatory evacuation. The following are in a pre-evacuation status: Vine Mesa, Cascade Ave., Pine Ave., and Beulah Highlands Rd. Go to www.puebloemergency.info for all evacuation information.
 

Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. If you FLY, we CAN’T. Do not fly or operate your own drones in this area, as it will impede firefighting efforts and ground our aircraft.
 

OAK RIDGE FIRE INFORMATION

Fire Information Phoneline:  719-315-1536      Time: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Facebook: @OakRidgeFire2024     Email: 2024.oakridge@firenet.gov   

InciWeb: www.inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/copsf-oak-ridge-fire