Construction workers who sparked a small brush fire near the top of Diamond Head trail worked to put out the flames Thursday before firefighters arrived, a state Department of Land and Natural Resources spokeswoman said.

Capt. Andy Verke said firefighters worked to put out the fire by hand, using shovels, brush beaters and water from backpacks.

The Honolulu Fire Department dispatched a helicopter and four fire companies, but the hellicopter was diverted to a rescue.

The fire was extinguished by 3:28 p.m.

The Fire Department got the call at 12:48 p.m. By 3 p.m., the fire appeared to be largely out.

Tourist Grant Hengy, 26, of Eagan, Minn., said he was hiking near the top of the trail when he saw flames below. He alerted workers doing trail improvement work, who then began shoveling dirt on the fire.

The trail was not shut down, but visitors to the crater warned others, some of whom turned back from continuing on.