DES MOINES, Wash. -- A brush fire that scorched the median of I-5 near Des Moines Wednesday afternoon and snarled traffic was caused by a cigarette, officials said.

The fire broke out just before 2 p.m. in the middle of the north and southbound lanes between S. 188th and S. 200th Street, near Des Moines.

Firefighters blocked several lanes of traffic to fight the fire, and even called in a foam truck from Sea-Tac Airport to assist.

The fire was out a short time later, but some lanes remained closed to traffic for the mop-up effort.

Traffic in the area was backed up for more than 4 miles at one point.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Dan McDonald asked anyone who may have seen a lit cigarette tossed from a vehicle in the area to call investigators at 206-296-6670.