Firefighters from Carbon and Lehigh counties continue to battle a wildfire that broke out shortly after 3:30 Saturday afternoon.

The fire broke out across from the East Penn Sporting Club and quickly spread toward West Sunset Road and toward the Lehigh Tunnel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.Crews have been on scene since that time, battling flames as high as 40 feet. Two helicopters from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, as well as a plane,  were on hand to drop water onto the fire. 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.

At one point, the fire was headed for village of Kittatinny.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 for people who have left their homes.As of 11:30 p.m. firefighters were concerned that the fire would jump the creek near the sporting club.Firefighters were stationed at the sporting club, as well as protecting homes on Sunset Road. A command post was set up at East Penn Elementary School.Fire police were called to the area of Route 895 and the sporting club to prevent traffic from going into the area.The National Weather Service late Friday issued a red flag warning for today. A red flag warning indicates an extremely high risk of brush fires due to high winds and dry conditions.Photo gallery from fire: http://www.tnonline.com/gallery/wildlife-blue-mountain-carbon-and-lehigh-counties-41815