Oak Ridge Fire now 25 percent contained; smoke and flames could be more visible Thursday

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) - Firefighters say they have upped the containment on a wildfire burning in two Colorado counties, bringing it to 25 percent.

Thursday marks the 13th day fire crews are on the front lines of the Oak Ridge Fire, which started on the morning of June 22 outside the town of Beulah.

This first week of July has been a good one for firefighters, who have been able to play offense thanks to some assistance from Mother Nature. After growing steadily for first several days, this week, the fire has held at about 1,190 acres. The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office announced Monday evening that it would be downgrading a mandatory evacuation order to a pre-evacuation order, allowing residents of Middle Creek Canyon Road to return to their homes for the first time in a week.

The below map by the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team shows the progression of the fire between June 23-June 30. The fire's size has been unchanged since the 30th.

Even as the fire was growing - June 27, it jumped county lines and is now burning in both Pueblo and Custer counties - firefighters have successfully kept the wildfire from advancing on the town of Beulah. The fire remains a similar distance from the community as it did the day it started.

Pre-evacuation orders for those living on Vine MesaCascade AvenuePine AvenueBeulah Highlands Road, as well as Middle Creek Canyon Road, remain in effect, meaning residents need to be ready to go at any time.

Custer County Sheriff's Office announced Monday night that the fire had not closed any roads in the county, and all businesses including Bishop's Castle remained open as well.

Going into Thursday, more than 800 firefighters are battling the blaze. Firefighters warned the public that Thursday is expected to be drier than days past, so smoke and flames could be more visible than they had been.

No structures have been reported damaged as of Thursday.