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A fire south of Red Lodge that has been visible from Powell as smoke plumes rise over the Beartooths has grown to 1,204 acres with 0% containment as of Wednesday afternoon, according to a Custer …
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A fire south of Red Lodge that has been visible from Powell as smoke plumes rise over the Beartooths has grown to 1,204 acres with 0% containment as of Wednesday afternoon, according to a Custer Gallatin National Forest release.
The East Side Fire began April 20 and there are now 135 personnel engaged with fighting the fire, along with six helicopters.
According to the release, aerial resources are providing ground crews with support, dropping water on hot spots, while ground crews are focusing on structure protection and fireline construction. Smokejumpers had also planned Wednesday to hike in to assess hot spots on the face of Mt. Maurice. Currently,185 homes are under evacuation orders.
Firefighters have also worked on structure protection in the main canyon, below Mt. Maurice south of Red Lodge, and in Howell Gulch. On Tuesday, firefighters were working on sprinkler systems around structures and improving defensible space and firelines were being put in on the north side of the fire to halt northward progression of the fire and to prepare for strong winds later in the day.
People are asked to continue to stay clear of the barricade area and stay out of driving areas to allow for the safe travel of emergency personnel.
Meeteetsee Trail Road south towards Howell Gulch Road is in an evacuation warning.
Homes south of Howell Gulch Road towards Lake Fork Road are in an evacuation order.
North of Howell Gulch road is under evacuation warning status.
Weather is expected to assist in fighting the blaze the rest of the week, with rain and snow possible Wednesday night and Thursday.
Refer to carbonalert.org for additional information regarding evacuation information.
More information will be posted as available. US Forest Service, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Carbon County, Red Lodge Fire Rescue, a mix of federal and state resources working together for unified command.
An incident map including evacuation areas and the road closure at U.S. Highway 212 and West Fork Road can be found on carbonalert.org. Information on air quality can be found at fire.airnow.gov.
