That brush fire burning in East County provided some anxious moments for two experienced hikers who called on San Diego County Sheriff's deputies to airlift them to safety.
As of Sunday morning, the El Monte fire has burned more than 1,000 acres and is ten percent contained. Earlier reports of twice that size have been revised downward using a more accurate method combining aerial surveillance with GPS technology, according to Cal Fire.
When the fire was reported Saturday afternoon at the edge of El Monte Park in Lakeside, the hikers thought they were far enough away that they elected to "shelter in place," Deputy Gary Kneeshaw said.
As the blazed picked up its pace, they felt threatened by the flames and called 911 call to ask for help.
A sheriff's fire fighting helicopter in the area couldn't tell from the smoke whether or not they could be rescued, Kneeshaw said, and the department's ASTREA 1 chopper whose crew consisted of a pilot and Kneeshaw, flew in for a closer look and discovered the people on a hillside about 50 yards from the flames.
The helicopter's pilot, S. Bligh, landed briefly, and Kneeshaw stayed behind while the woman was loaded into the chopper and flown to safety.
As they waited for the chopper to return, the man and officer headed west to avoid the approaching flames. The helicopter touched down a second time with the flames reported about 20 feet from the craft. The hiker was loaded onboard and Kneeshaw stood on the helicopter's skid, holding on as they flew to safety.
Eight people from a cabin in the area were also airlifted from the area, the U-T reports.
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