Firefighters on the Custer Gallatin National Forest have made significant progress on the East Side Fire, which is burning in timber and grass on the eastern side of Highway 212, approximately five to seven miles south of Red Lodge, Montana. As of Thursday, the fire stood at 1,219 acres with 70% of its perimeter contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Fire Location and Conditions
The East Side Fire is burning in the Beartooth Range foothills, a landscape of mixed conifer forest and grassland that sits at the transition zone between montane forest and high alpine terrain. The area south of Red Lodge along Highway 212 — the scenic route to Beartooth Pass — is popular with recreationists and holds significant forest resources.
Timber and grass fires in this terrain can be unpredictable, with slope-driven runs, spotting across containment lines, and shifting winds all posing challenges to crews working to establish perimeter control.
Suppression Efforts
Ground crews have been working to reinforce and extend containment lines, with aerial resources providing support on active sections of the perimeter. The fire is listed on InciWeb, with the Custer Gallatin National Forest serving as the lead agency.
The incident contact number for information is 406-414-6135. Residents and visitors in the Red Lodge area are encouraged to monitor official channels for updates on road conditions, area closures, and any changes in fire behavior.
A Broader Pattern in the Northern Rockies
Montana has seen early fire activity this spring, consistent with a national pattern of above-average fire starts and acreage. With drought conditions affecting much of the Northern Rockies and below-normal snowpack reducing natural fire breaks, land managers in the region are bracing for an active summer.
The East Side Fire joins a handful of significant early-season fires in the region. An earlier fire on the Custer Gallatin National Forest near Volborg in southeastern Montana grew explosively, reaching 40,000 acres in a single day, driven by wind and dry conditions across the high plains landscape.
Fire Safety Near Red Lodge
Travelers on Highway 212 and recreationists in the Beartooth area are advised to stay alert for smoke, reduced visibility, and potential road restrictions. Campfire bans or fire restrictions may be in effect in affected areas; check with the Custer Gallatin National Forest or local ranger districts before building any fire. The InciWeb incident page for the East Side Fire is available at inciweb.wildfire.gov and includes current maps, closures, and situation reports.