Campers inadvertently started a fire above the Boys Scout Camp in Pupukea this morning by allowing a campfire to get out of control, said Terry Seelig, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department.

The half-acre fire, reported at 11:03 a.m., was under control within 30 minutes, but crews remain on the mountain putting out smoldering material, Seelig said.

The fire site is about a half-mile above the Boys Scout Camp in an area with lots of undergrowth and a thick bed of decaying pine needles and other material, he said.

"Ground crews with shovels and hand tools are turning the stuff over and pushing it into a pile then the helicopter is dropping water on it," Seelig said.

Police reported interviewing campers who admitted to starting a campfire and accidentally losing control of it, he said.

Campfires are not allowed in the mountain and Seelig didn't know if the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction there, would bring charges.

"That would be up to DLNR if they want to pursue but it doesn't appear to be intentional," he said.

About 15 firefighters are at the scene with two fire engines, one water truck, the helicopter and a battalion chief.