Kitchen Gas Appliances - How can I clean out a long dryer vent inside wall?

My girlfriend's house was once a one story, with a second added. There is no basement, placing the washer and dryer right in the middle of the home. The dryer vent runs up into the ceiling, and then at least 10ft inside a wall to the outside. She told me it was taking longer for her clothes to get dry and that she also has never cleaned it out. When I checked outside, I found the ENTIRE length loaded with birds nest--all leaves and twigs. I pulled out my arms length, then a broom handle length with a hook attached. I reached up from the inside and pulled out what I could--used a vacuum cleaner hose. There is still a mess in there that cannot be reached and this is a terrible fire hazard. Is there anything I can do before I yank the whole thing out of there and have to fish it back through?
Roland

There are many types of dryer vent cleaning devices, see for example:

http://repair2000.com/linteater.htm

You are correct to take this seriously, there are around 15,000 dryer related fires a year in the US:

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5022.html

MT thats a nice little tool...thanks for posting!! I'm saving that link for sure!

Wish they sold that at some of the Box stores...probably fly out the door.