Monmouth firefighters battle a forest fire Tuesday evening near Kenney Road in Leeds. The fire claimed 17 acres. Monmouth Fire Department photo

A forest fire near Kenney Road in Leeds claimed 17 acres of woods Tuesday evening. Monmouth Fire Department photo

LEEDS — Area fire departments responded Tuesday night to a forest fire on Kenney Road which claimed 17 acres of woods, according to officials.

Leeds Volunteer Fire Department posted on Facebook around 6:30 p.m. that crews were battling a blaze in the woods near the intersection of Kenney and Plains roads.

Officials warned motorists to avoid the area. Several roads surrounding the blaze were closed for several hours while fire crews battled flames and hotspots.

Monmouth Fire Department posted on Facebook at 10:54 p.m. Tuesday that they responded with 22 members from their department.

“Strong work by all mutual aid departments that responded to the town of Leeds this evening for a 17-acres woods fire,” the post said. “Approximately 3-hours later, all firefighters safely returned.”

A spokesperson for Leeds Volunteer Fire Department was not available for details.

Monmouth firefighters battle a forest fire Tuesday evening near Kenney Road in Leeds. The fire claimed 17 acres. Monmouth Fire Department photo