The Oak Ridge fire, three miles northwest of Beulah in Pueblo County, broke the 1,000 acres-burned milestone with no containment Wednesday.

Road closures and evacuations in the area initiated earlier this week continue, according to the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team.

The fire was determined to be slightly larger than expected at 1,008 acres, officials said in Wednesday night’s update.

A flyover conducted Thursday morning by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Multi-Mission Aircraft, along with further analysis of the blaze from ground personnel, determied the fire to have burned a total of 1,025 acres.

According to Incident Commander Casey Cheesbrough, the management team assumed responsibility of the fire at 6 a.m. Wednesday. It is 70 miles southwest of Colorado Springs.

Residents of Middle Creek Canyon continued to be under a mandatory evacuation order Wednesday.

The U.S. Forest Service announced a monthslong closure beginning Wednesday of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests and the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands due to the impacts of the Oak Ridge fire, according to a social media announcement from the agency.

According to Forest Service officials, the closure will be in effect through July 26, “unless rescinded,” the post states.

Additionally, Middle Creek Road, the Pueblo Mountain Park and the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center are temporarily closed to the public .

“First off, the Pueblo Mountain Park is NOT currently in danger,” Park officials said.

“However, NWDC is committed to fully supporting the Oak Ridge fire firefighting efforts. As a result, as of Wednesday, NWDC will be temporarily closing the park to visitors until further notice.”

“To keep roads clear for emergency services and potential evacuees, Sheriff Lucero has requested that people who do not live in Beulah avoid coming to the area. During this closure, local residents will not have vehicle access to the park and are encouraged to limit their use to essential activities only.”

According to officials, the fire — which started because of a lightning strike Saturday morning — is still at zero percent containment after five days.

Cheesbrough said Wednesday’s plan was to construct both direct and indirect fire lines with the primary focus dedicated to protecting structures.

Thunderstorms were anticipated to arrive in the area Wednesday afternoon along with wind gusts of 45-60 mph.

“Fire activity may result in an increase of acres after the inversion lifts this morning,” Cheesbrough said Wednesday.

To check the air quality in and around the Oak Ridge fire, click or tap here.

Also, flight restrictions that include the use of drones have been issued over the fire area.

For updates on the fire, visit the Oak Ridge fire Facebook page. Social media updates can be found on the organization’s X account.