On Monday afternoon, fire crews responded to a rapidly moving wildfire near Red Lodge, specifically along the East Side Road south of the city and off the Beartooth Highway, approximately 1.5 miles south of Rock Creek Resort. As the fire progressed, firefighters focused their efforts on protecting structures in Howell Gulch while the blaze advanced rapidly in a northern direction.
Resources deployed to combat the fire included helicopters and tankers, with a total of 100 personnel on the ground and various aircraft assisting, including large airtankers and type 1 and type 2 helicopters. Despite these efforts, the situation warranted serious attention, leading to evacuations on East Side Road and an evacuation warning for areas north of Howell Gulch Road. Additionally, the road closure at Hwy 212 was enforced south of Red Lodge at the Beartooth Ranger Station.
Evacuations included Bull Moose Lane in the 400 Ranch and nearby campgrounds along East Side Road, with more evacuations potentially forthcoming. Search and Rescue, along with the Sheriff’s office, were actively visiting homeowners to provide updates. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the estimated size reaching 3,000 acres.
Residents and those in the affected areas were encouraged to check carbonalert.org for up-to-date evacuation information and incident maps detailing evacuation zones and road closures. The operation involves a coordinated effort by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Carbon County, and Red Lodge Fire and Rescue, showcasing collaboration among federal and state resources.
Stay tuned to The Great Falls Gazette as we will update when more information becomes available.
By Karen Anderson: April 21, 2026 – Great Falls, Mt
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
