A brush fire broke out Monday in the back of Manoa Valley, but it was quickly brought under control before threatening any houses.

The fire behind 3275 Lower Road, off Woodlawn Drive, burned piles of yard debris, including palm fronds and bamboo, in a 15-square-foot area, said Capt. Terry Seelig, spokes­man for the Hono­lulu Fire Department.

The nearest house was 20 feet away, he said.

Seelig said the fire was under control in less than 17 minutes after the department received the call at 3:41 p.m.

However, the fire generated quite a bit of smoke, and traffic was backed up in the valley with the closure of Woodlawn Drive, which reopened just after 5 p.m.