The August 2021 Mana Road fire, started by somebody welding a fence, jumped established firebreaks and threatened several communities, including Waikoloa Village, which received a momentary mandatory evacuation order. It also threatened the habitat of the critically endangered palila (Hawaiian honeycreeper). The fire eventually burned more than 40,000 acres (more than twice the average 20,000 acres burnt each year on the Big Island) and destroyed two homes.

Firefighters, County personnel and contractors struggled to get enough manpower,  heavy equipment and helicopters to battle the blaze. Civil Defense issued only one notification, at the time of the mandatory evacuation order issued for Waikoloa Village. A number of important lessons were learnt by the County agencies. The total cost was more than $1.2M which was eventually reimbursed by FEMA.