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100 hikers flee fire
27/04/2008 17:35 - (SA)
Sierra Madre - A wildfire in Southern California that has scorched 109 hectares and forced the evacuation of about 100 homes might not be under control for days, officials said on Sunday.
Firefighters originally had hoped to have the blaze contained on Sunday, but gusting winds late on Saturday night kept the fire burning out of control and creeping toward nearby homes, said Elisa Weaver of the Arcadia Fire Department.
The fire broke out on a hot, dry Saturday afternoon about 16km northeast of Pasadena, Weaver said.
More than 100 hikers were escorted out of a forest by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies, and Boy Scouts were evacuated from a camp, Weaver said. No injuries were reported.
Containment was not expected for two to three days, Weaver said.
"I think the biggest concern is this area ... has not burned in 10-plus years, so there's a lot of fuel up there for this fire," Weaver said.
More than 200 firefighters were aided by a dozen engines, three water tankers and three helicopters, Weaver said. She said more air support was expected later Sunday morning.
Flames outlined steep ridges about a mile above Sierra Madre, a community of about 11 000 at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains that is popular with artists.
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