Lava flow front remains stalled

The June 27 lava flow front has not advanced toward Pahoa since Oct. 30, Hawaii County Civil Defense reported Saturday morning.

Breakouts located upslope of the flow front remain about 0.7 miles and 1.5 miles above the Apaa Street area. They are located on the northern edge of the flow. The breakout located 1.5 miles above the roadway advanced 100 yards toward the northwest between Thursday and Friday.

Despite the decrease in flow activity, Civil Defense iterated that residents in the flow path remain on an evacuation advisory and possible need for evacuation.

Smoke conditions continue to be light to moderate with moderate trade winds from the northeast pushing the smoke in a south-southwest direction. Civil Defense said active burning along the flow edges in the area of the cemetery and above the Pahoa Transfer Station is limited to vegetation in direct contact with the flow.

The flow front is currently 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road and 0.47 miles from Highway 130.

Pahoa Village Road, between Apaa Street and Post Office Road, remains closed with access limited to area residents only. Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.

Highway 130 remains open. Officials are discussing options in regard to the roadway should the lava come closer. He said the highway could be closed for safety concerns if the flow crosses Pahoa Village Road and continues its advance toward Highway 130 becoming visible to traffic and creating the threat of fire.

Beach Road is open to traffic. Railroad Avenue remains closed as it traditionally has been.

Work on re-establishing Chain of Craters Road, which would be the only means of accessing Lower Puna should the flow cross Highway 130, continues. It should be complete in early December.