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Yesterday evening at approximately 5:00 p.m., firefighters began to implement the strategic firing operation planned on the southeastern corner of the fire (Div. K). Firefighters began by using drip torches to fire and widen an existing containment line. The goal of this plan is to help contain the fire in an area that has been difficult to access and allow firefighters to safely and effectively work and protect values at risk. Today, firefighters plan to use aerial ignition dropped from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The UAS will drop plastic spheres that ignite approximately 30 seconds once they hit the ground. This operation will expand the burned fuels from the fire to the widened containment line. This strategy allows fire managers to have the fire in their control to best protect Beulah. If this firing operation proceeds today, there will be additional smoke in the area.  

Outside of Div. K, much of the operation for the rest of the fire will be strengthening and improving containment lines. Much of the work being done today will be chipping brush near these lines. Firefighters use chainsaws to remove lower tree limbs and brushy shrubs and then chip this vegetation. The wood chips are then dispersed into the surrounding area, not left in piles. The reduction of flammable vegetation close to the ground will strengthen containment lines. 

The strategic firing operation in Div. K is anticipated to take one to two more days. After this plan is implemented, it is anticipated that backhaul of equipment off of the lines and suppression repair to the lines will ramp up. Today’s map looks different with additional containment line on the fire shown in Div. As additional containment and resource changes are anticipated on the fire, the map will continue to have additional changes.

Weather & Smoke Information: Light winds today will switch from the North to the East today and peak at 5-10 mph with gusts to 18 mph. It will be a warm dry day with temperatures reaching 91 in Beulah today and relative humidity levels down to 13%.

The U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program daily smoke outlook report specific to the fire area may be found here: Visit https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d9fa3c77.  

Closures: The San Carlos Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests issued an area, trail and road closure effective June 26, 2024. Go to www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices for the entire order. 

Evacuations: Areas in Pueblo County that are on pre-evacuation status include Middle Creek Canyon Road, Vine Mesa, Cascade Avenue, Pine Avenue and Beulah Highlands Road. Go to  www.puebloemergency.info.  for more information.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a 24-hour a day Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. The TFR includes restrictions against private drones. Air incursions will impede firefighting efforts and ground our aircraft. All air incursions will be immediately reported to law enforcement. 

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