Wildland fire south of Waikōloa and not a threat; firefighters continue battling blaze overnight

This story was updated at 10:53 p.m. July 10, 2026.

Hawai‘i Fire Department continues to battle a wildland fire in South Kohala that caused fire officials to issue a wildfire warning the afternoon of July 10.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense reported in its latest message at 9:36 p.m. Friday that the blaze is now south of Waikōloa Village and not a threat. The fire had involved about 200 acres as of about 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Waikōloa Road, from Paniolo Avenue to Highway 190 (Māmalahoa Highway/Hawai‘i Belt Road), continues to be closed.

Civil Defense reports that the 6- to 7-mile portion of the roadway will remain closed throughout the night as fire crews will remain at the scene overnight to continue battling the blaze.

Motorists also are again advised to avoid the area.

Waikōloa Road, from Paniolo Avenue to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, is open to all traffic.

Hawai’i Fire Department said in a Civil Defense update shortly after 7 p.m. Friday that the fire — which was being blown to the south by east-northeast winds — was already moving away from Waikōloa Village.

Limited evacuation was ordered just before 6 p.m. Friday evening for Buildings 4 and 5 at The Lofts apartment complex on Pua Melia Street. An evacuation shelter also was opened in the cafeteria at Waikōloa Elementary School, located at 68-1730 Hoʻokō St.

Evacuation orders were lifted for the two buildings at The Lofts and residents cleared to return shortly after 7 p.m. Friday after officials determined the brush blaze was no longer a threat as it was moving south and away from Waikoloa Village.

The evacuation shelter was subsequently closed.

Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda’s office reported in an update shortly before 8 p.m. Friday that no injuries were reported and no buildings or infrastructure were burned.

There also was no imminent threat to developed residential areas in Waikōloa.

Hawai‘i Fire Department and volunteer firefighters responded at about 4:20 p.m. today to the fire on the south side of Waikōloa Road. They attacked the blaze with helicopters, fire engines, a tanker and brush trucks.

“The aggressive response by firefighters helped to quickly limit the hazard, but we’re urging residents to pay attention for any additional alerts if conditions change,” said Alameda in the mayor’s office fire update. “If you encounter emergency responders or road crews, please allow them space to operate safely and expect some traffic congestion.”

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Visit the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense website or Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization website for additional information about fire prevention and preparedness.

“As we move further into the dry season, it’s important that residents take steps to reduce fire risk, and everyone should have a plan in case they need to quickly leave an area threatened by fire,” said Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno in the mayor’s office update.

Blustery winds fueled the Waikōloa brush fire flames.

National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office data show east-northeast winds were blowing at a sustained 22 mph and gusting up to 36 mph at 4:35 p.m. Friday, shortly after the blaze was reported to Big Island firefighters.

Sustained winds have since ranged from 16 mph as of 10:35 p.m. on the low end up to 21 mph as of 5:35 p.m. on the high end, with gusts from 29 mph up to 38 mph during the same time period.

They continued to blow from the east-northeast until between 7:35 and 8:35 p.m. Friday, shifting to direct easterly winds.

The National Weather Service forecast calls for winds to remain strong overnight and through July 11.

Breezy east winds of 16 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 28 mph, are expected throughout the night. Wind will then shift from the east-northeast again Saturday, blowing at 15 to 24 mph and gusting as high as 34 mph throughout the day.

More information and further updates will be provided by Civil Defense if conditions change.