Lakewood brush fire backs up traffic near South Tacoma Way I-5 overpass

A brush fire that required the services of three different departments burned between 5 to 10 acres near Interstate 5 in Lakewood on Wednesday afternoon.

West Pierce Fire & Rescue received its first call about the fire a couple minutes before 3 p.m., according to department spokesperson Hallie McCurdy. It started near the South Tacoma Way overpass of Interstate-5, but windy conditions caused it to spread to parts of nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Ultimately, 15 units from West Pierce, Central Pierce Fire & Rescue and JBLM responded to the fire. Firefighters blocked a northbound lane on I-5 to battle the flames.

In a call with The News Tribune, McCurdy said firefighters had the flames under control by around 4:30 p.m. As of 5 p.m. units were still at the scene overhauling the area. Northbound I-5 traffic continued to be backed up from the fire to the Nisqually Road exit.