Ledyard -- Firefighters from 14 area departments battled a 10-acre brush fire for six hours Monday before containing it early in the evening.

The fire, which was reported at 1 p.m., was located deep in the woods south of Whippoorwill Drive.

Gales Ferry Fire Chief Tony Saccone said the fire was contained Monday evening and firefighters were expected to remain on the scene until about 8 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire marshal.

Saccone said the weather conditions have been extremely dry, and he is hoping for heavy rain.

Firefighters will return Tuesday morning with state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to verify the fire has been contained, he said.

Gales Ferry Fire Company and Ledyard Fire Company responded to the fire, as well as mutual aid from surrounding towns. North Stonington, Colchester, Old Mystic, Groton, Gardner Lake, Montville, Oakdale, Preston, Poquetanuck, Center Groton, Lisbon, and Laurel Hill were among the responding departments, according to police. Crews from the DEEP's forestry division also responded.