Less than 24 hours after a brush fire started on Eli Hill along state Route 410 between Bonney Lake and Sumner, fire crews were about to contain the blaze to a 2 to 4 acre area.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief John McDonald said Thursday that crews from the Cedar Creek Correction Facility were working Thursday morning digging around the area where a brush started a day earlier. The unit was under the direction of the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The fire started around 2 p.m., according to a witness who lives on Myers Road. He said smoke was very heavy in his area.

The right westbound lane was closed down about 2:35 after fire crews reached the scene and it was reopen Thursday morning, McDonald said.

The fire spread upward on the hill and fire crew were unable to reach it on foot. East Pierce called in two helicopters – one from DNR and another from Northwest Helicopter Services of Olympia – to scoop up water from Lake Tapps and Hidden Lake to help extinguish the blaze.

“DNR was a great help to us in managing the helicopters and scouting out trails for our crews and equipment,” said McDonald.

A small portion of Myers Road was blocked off for about two hours as firefighters helped contain the fire.

About 5 p.m., the fire was contained, but crews stayed through the afternoon and night to make sure no hot spots would not flare up.

Crews from Central Pierce, Orting Valley and Edgwood, assisted East Pierce, added McDonald.