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Climbers reportedly trapped on mountain
August 21, 2010 (Lakeside) 1:55 p.m. - The fire in El Monte Valley is now 100 acres, actively burning to the north, into steep terrain, away from structures, Cal-Fire's Roxanne Provaznik reports.
ECM photographer Dennis Richardson, on the scene, reports the fire is burning up the face of El Capitan. A radio scanner report indicated that hikers on a trail expressed concerns about becoming trapped.
There were structures briefly threatened near El Monte Road, which has since been mitigated. The fire was reported at 1:02 and the cause is being investigated. Currently there are 20 engines, six fire crews, two bulldozers, five water tenders, four airtankers, four helicopters, two helitankers, 3 chief officers either on scene or enroute.
The fire is burning toward Cleveland National Forest.
El Monte Valley has been the scene of numerous fires in the past, eliciting controversy over the planned Sunrise Powerlink route which would put high-voltage lines throught the valley in the areas where this fire is now burning. Many homeowners have expressed fear that they could become trapped in the valley or that their homes could not be saved if the Powerline is built.
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