June 27 Lava Flow Update – 2/5/15
For a week and a half, the June 27 lava flow’s north margin breakout that threatened Highway 130 has remained stalled.
Hawai’i County Civil Defense noted following its Thursday morning overflight assessment that the flow remains stalled 0.36 miles from Highway 130, just west of the Pahoa Police and Fire stations.
No other advancement in the downslope areas of the flow were seen by Civil Defense, as activity reported was limited to breakouts within or on the surface of the flow pad and along both the north and south margins.
Activity continues to be monitored by Civil Defense and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the public will continue to be informed of any changes.
Moderate to heavy smoke conditions were reported for the third day, as a light southwest wind is blowing smoke in a northeast direction. As usual, these conditions have the possibility of changing and those who are sensitive or have known respiratory issues are advised to take necessary precautions.
Officials say that a brush fire that broke out on Wednesday was contained within the fire break. As of Thursday morning, burning activity was limited to several hot spots and flare-ups, also within the fire break area.
Communities nearby are not in any fire threat and conditions will continue to be monitored.
The bi-weekly community lava meeting held at the Pahoa High School cafeteria has been canceled for this Thursday due to the limited lava activity.

This photo taken on Feb. 4 shows a large finger of lava breaks out along the edge of the flow, pushing into the adjacent brush. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/Paradise Helicopters.

Another shot of a breakout photographed Feb. 4, about a mile upslope of the distal tip, consumes trees and shrubbery. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/Paradise Helicopters.

In this photo taken Feb. 4 a breakout begins consuming trees. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/Paradise Helicopters.

Photographed on Feb. 4 A large breakout consumes trees and shrubbery, and continues to widen the forest. Photo credit: Extreme Exposure/Paradise Helicopters.