East Side Fire Near Red Lodge, Montana Reaches 52% Containment

The East Side Fire burning south of Red Lodge, Montana is now 52% contained at 1,219 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The fire, listed on the NIFC active fire roster as of May 11, is burning in steep terrain on the east side of Highway 212 south of the Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Fire History

The East Side Fire ignited in mid-April and quickly grew under dry and windy conditions, reaching approximately 1,600 acres and threatening 185 homes in the area south of Red Lodge. Evacuation orders were issued and remained in place for several days as crews worked to establish containment lines.

Crews made steady progress through late April despite challenging conditions. By April 21, the fire had grown to about 1,600 acres with zero containment. Containment climbed to 21% by April 23, though operations were briefly paused due to snowfall and poor visibility. By late April, containment had reached 32%, and the most recent update shows the fire is now 52% contained.

Conditions and Concerns

The fire is burning in the Custer Gallatin National Forest in rugged terrain near the Beartooth Highway corridor. Fire managers are continuing suppression operations with air and ground resources assigned to the incident. The contact number for fire information is 406-414-6135.

Montana's early-season fire activity in 2026 mirrors broader trends across the West, where an abnormally warm winter, below-normal snowpack, and early drying of fuels have combined to produce significant fire activity well before the typical peak season. The Northern Rockies — including Idaho and western Montana — are projected to have above-normal wildfire potential through the summer months, according to NIFC's seasonal outlook.

Resources and Response

The East Side Fire is being managed by the Custer Gallatin National Forest. Residents in the Red Lodge area who had been evacuated are encouraged to monitor official fire information channels for the latest on evacuation order status. Current information is available through InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov.