(UPDATE, TUESDAY MORNING) The East Side Fire has burned an estimated 1,500 acres as of Monday night, with several evacuations and closures still in place. The flames, which sparked along East Side Road south of Red Lodge, were moving at a rapid pace to the north Monday evening with firefighters working to protect structures.
Highway 212 is closed south of Red Lodge at the Beartooth Ranger Station. Evacuations are in place south of Howell Gulch Road to Meeteetsee Trail Road and for Bull Moose in the 400 Ranch. All campgrounds along East Side Road were also evacuated.
Watch video here:
The fire is reported to have spotted into Howell Gulch, an area to the north of East Side Road. Resources are being directed to that location.
Evacuations and road closures remain in place.
(UPDATE, MONDAY, 2:10 p.m.) Highway 212 is closing Monday afternoon near the intersection of West Fork Road at the south end of Red Lodge because of a rapidly spreading wildfire on the east side, authorities said.
The fire, which is named the East Fire, is at 100 acres, according to mtfireinfo.org.
The Carbon County Sheriff's Office and the Montana Department of Transportation are working jointly to shut down the highway, according to Red Lodge Fire and Rescue, while evacuations continue on the east side.
Check carbonalert.org for updates on the road closure. Visit the Red Lodge Fire and Rescue Facebook page for updates on the fire.
(UPDATE: MONDAY, 1:15 p.m.) Red Lodge Fire Rescue posted the following:
Red Lodge Fire Rescue and other county resources are responding to a fire along the East Side Road south of Red Lodge on the east side of Hwy 212. Bull Moose Lane in the 400 Ranch is being evacuated as are campgrounds along East Side Road. Other evacuations are possible. Search and Rescue and the Sheriffs office will be visiting homeowners. Please avoid the area to allow firefighters to work safely.
John Potter shared this photo:
(1st REPORT, MONDAY) Fire crews were responding to a wildfire near Red Lodge on Monday afternoon.
The fire was reported in the National Forest south of the city off the Beartooth Highway about 1.5 miles south of Rock Creek Resort.
Some residents were being evacuated from the East Side Road and 400 Ranch Circle, according to Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan.
There are no reports of any injuries.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
We will update you if we get more information.
