Countless firefighters continue to battle a wildfire that broke out Saturday afternoon on the Blue Mountain in East Penn Township.

Hikers and campers had to be removed from the area. Two Boy Scout troops were also cleared out.The American Red Cross has opened a reception center at Citizens Fire Company on 3922 Main Street in Slatedale in case people had to leave their homes.Shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday residents in the Slatington area reported ash falling like "snow."

The Beltz family, who lives near the turnpike on Mountain Road, got a call shortly after 9 p.m. inviting them to go to the shelter.Firefighers were stationed less than a mile up the road and the air was thick like fog, but the family said the fire never came close enough to prompt leaving their homes.The road was later closed near Lehigh Furnace.

The raging brush fire was first spotted in East Penn Township across from the East Penn Sporting Club. Teenagers riding all terrain vehicles spotted the fire off West Sunset Road in East Penn Township, at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The flames spread fast, reaching heights of almost 40 feet at a few minutes after 3 p.m.Three helicopters were sent up to help fight the fire. Crews staged on West Sunset Road. East Penn firefighters were joined by several surrounding companies.The fire threatened structures at 1039 West Sunset Road, and crews were called in to protect it. The fire was about halfway up the mountain at 3:24 p.m., according to scanner reports.Photo gallery:

http://www.tnonline.com/gallery/wildlife-blue-mountain-carbon-and-lehigh-counties-41815