A brush fire engulfed 7 acres near a marsh in Scarborough Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The blaze, which spread throughout the marsh along Highland Avenue and its intersection with Lilac Lane, was ignited by a “campfire that was not extinguished properly,” the Scarborough Fire Department said.

Initial reports of the fire came in shortly after 1 p.m., and it was extinguished within three hours, the department said.

Maine Forest Service rangers joined Scarborough firefighters on the scene, the department said in a post on social media. The marsh borders the Nonesuch River.

A forest service helicopter dropped water on the blaze to help contain it, the department said.

The Scarborough Fire Department did not immediately return a call requesting details of the fire.

Maine has seen several brush fires in recent weeks, and most of the state is under a high risk of wildfire, according to the forest service. Rising temperatures and dry underbrush are partially responsible for the increased risk.

A burning permit is required for most outdoor fires, and burning is prohibited when the forest service reports more than a moderate risk of wildfire.

State officials have declared this week Wildfire Awareness Week.