Red Lodge is currently hosting a guest no one invited: the East Side Fire. Conquer the Storm shared that the fire sparked up on April 20th, and this uninvited visitor has already claimed about 1,600 acres of the Beartooth Ranger District. With 0% containment and the cause still “under investigation,” the local crews are working overtime to show this fire the exit.
Here’s the breakdown of what’s happening on the ground (and in the air) as of today, April 22, 2026.
The Stats at a Glance
- Size: 1,600 acres (and growing).
- Personnel: 135 people.
- Air Support: 2 fixed-wing planes and 4 helicopters.
- Location: 7 miles south of Red Lodge, hugging the east side of Hwy 212.
What’s the Game Plan?
Firefighters aren’t just playing defense; they’re getting tactical. Operations are currently focused near Mt. Maurice, Howell Gulch, and East Side Road.
- Mop-up Duty: Crews are cooling hot spots along the edges to make sure “out” actually means out.
- The Big Dig: Dozer lines are being carved out below the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association (YBRA), and smokejumpers have “spiked out” (set up camp) nearby to keep a 24/7 watch.
- Structure Defense: Ground crews are essentially giving local homes a “fire-resistant makeover”—removing flammable brush and setting up sprinkler systems to keep things damp.
- Holding the Line: The main goal right now is keeping the fire’s northern edge from drifting any closer to Red Lodge.
The Weather: A Double-Edged Sword
Wednesday is bringing a cold front, which sounds like good news, but it comes with a side of chaos.
The Good: Higher humidity and cooler temps are on the way.
The Bad: Winds are expected to go rogue. We’re looking at ridgetop gusts up to 50 mph and potential thunderstorms that bring wind but—cruelly—very little rain.
Evacuations: Know Your Zone
If you live in the area, “situational awareness” is your new best friend. Approximately 185 homes are currently empty as residents follow safety orders.
| Status | Areas Affected |
| ORDER (Go Now!) | South of Howell Gulch Rd toward Lake Fork Rd. |
| WARNING (Get Ready) | Meeteetse Trail Rd south toward Howell Gulch Rd. |
Pro Tip: Hwy 212 is closed at West Fork Road. If you don’t need to be there, stay clear. The firefighters need the road space more than you need the photo op.
Stay Informed
This is a team effort involving the Forest Service, DNRC, Carbon County, and Red Lodge Fire Rescue. For the most up-to-date maps and evacuation tweaks, keep your browser locked on carbonalert.org. If your lungs are feeling the literal burn, check fire.airnow.gov for smoke deets.
Stay safe, stay packed, and let’s hope those winds play nice.