The first major wildfire of the 2026-season is raging 7-miles south of Red Lodge, specifically a mile-and-a-half south of Rock Creek Resort along the Beartooth Highway. The East Side Fire is burning 1,600-acres with no containment. 135-firefighters are working the blaze, including 6-helicopters. Smokejumpers assessing and containing the hot spots on the face of Mt. Maurice. Winds this afternoon expected to gust up to 50-mph.
There are 185-homes an campgrounds in the vicinity and evacuation orders have been issued. Hwy 212 remains closed at the Beartooth Ranger Station.
Fire crews have set up sprinkler systems around the perimeter of the blaze and some back-burns are now in place to remove fuel in the burn path.
