A new breakout from the June 27 lava flow is now within 100 feet of a residence, Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The home is located at the top of a private parcel off Pahoa Village Road.
The breakout, one of two behind the flow front, is moving toward the south, however, it is expected to make a turn to the east toward the residence located off Pahoa Village Road, he said. The residence is located on the same parcel as a farm shed that was consumed by lava Tuesday morning as well as materials, such as tires and steel, that burned Tuesday afternoon.
“The active flow front is moving very, very slowly but it is active with red lava on the edge and was about 100 feet from the structure itself,” Oliveira said.
The second breakout, located on the north side of the June 27 lava flow, is moving toward the north. It is also expected to make a turn toward the east. It is currently moving along a fenceline in a forested area.
The actual front of the June 27 lava flow also remains active and was about 270 yards from Pahoa Village Road, he said. The flow, which remains on private property, is advancing at an average rate of five to 10 yards per hour.
Smoke conditions were reported as moderate Wednesday morning. Trade winds from the northeast were pushing the smoke in a south-southwest direction. Civil Defense said a variety of materials, including tires, were currently burning. As the flow progresses, smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents down wind that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.
“As the flow continues to move through residential areas or areas of development we’re going to see different types of items or materials involved in the fire. If there is any indication of health hazards or issues we will put out an advisory,” Oliveira said.
Between 40 and 50 households in the general downslope area of the flow path remain on notice to be ready to evacuate, according to Civil Defense. The advisory is not an immediate order to evacuate.
Some people have already chosen to voluntarily leave, including the couple who owned the property on the first residential property that the lava flow entered, Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said Tuesday.
Pahoa Village Road, between Apaa Street and Post Office Road, remains closed. Traffic is limited to area residents, who are being advised not to bring unauthorized people into the restricted area.
Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity. Hawaii Fire Department personnel are also positioned at the flow front to douse any brush fires triggered by the flow and to protect homes that could be affected by other structures that come into direct contact with the flow.
The American Red Cross earlier this week opened a shelter at Sure Foundation Church in East Hawaii for residents evacuated from their homes because of the lava flow in Pahoa. The church is located at 16-1592 Pohaku Circle in Keeau, according to the American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter.
Salvation Army personnel on Hawaii Island are also mobilizing to respond to the lava flow that Hawaii County Civil Defense officials are predicting will cross the main highway in the coming days.
“The Salvation Army is part of a team of agencies providing assistance during this pending event and working closely with both the State of Hawaii Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and the East Hawaii Island VOAD,” said Major Mark Gilden, Divisional Secretary for Business for The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division. “At this point, we anticipate The Salvation Army will be providing displaced residents, emergency management workers and volunteers with food and water, overseeing a planned temporary storage area for personal property, and facilitating emergency donations. In addition, our mobile canteen is on standby for use on the island.”
The public is encouraged to support the emergency disaster services efforts via monetary donations by clicking here or by calling The Salvation Army at 988-2136. Pahoa area residents in need are encouraged to contact The Salvation Army’s Hilo Corps Office at 935-1277.