(ABOVE PHOTO) An HVO geologist takes a GPS waypoint at the flow front on Saturday. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says this measurement is done sequentially throughout the day to measure flow advance rates. At the time, the flow front was moving through tall grass in an open field downslope of Apaʻa St. today.

NEWS BRIEFS

• The lava flow remains active and has advanced approximately 250 yards since yesterday morning.
• The flow has entered the cemetery grounds and is currently moving at 10 yards per hour in a northeast direction. Apa’a Street / Cemetery Road remain closed.
• Smoke conditions are light to moderate. Light trade winds from the northeast are pushing the smoke in a south southwest direction.

PRIMARY SOURCES

The flow continues to remain active and has advanced approximately 250 yards since yesterday morning. The flow front is currently entering the cemetery grounds and advancing at approximately 10 yards per hour in a northeast direction. Smoke conditions were light to moderate with moderate trade winds from the northeast pushing the smoke in a south southwest direction. 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.

Based on the current flow location, direction and advancement, residents in the flow path will be placed on an evacuation notice.

The evacuation notice means residents in the flow path areas should prepare for possible evacuation in the next three to five days. Those area residents will be kept informed of the flow movement and are asked to complete all necessary preparations for a possible evacuation by Tuesday October 28th.

Apa’a Street and Cemetery Road will remain closed and limited to area residents only. In addition, Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.

Additional updates will be broadcasted as conditions change.Hawaii County Civil Defense on Oct. 12

USGS HVO photo taken n Oct. 26 shows, “a typical portion of the pāhoehoe flow margin near the flow front, just downslope of Cemetery Rd./Apaʻa St. The horizontal incandescent cracks seen in the center and right portions of the photo indicate that the flow was inflating. Pāhoehoe inflation is driven by continued supply of lava beneath the surface crust, which slowly raises the surface.”