(ABOVE VIDEO) Lava report containing new overflight video and today’s conference call. Reported by Sherry Bracken.

NEWS BRIEFS

• Although the flow front is stalled half a mile away from the Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road intersection, two breakouts located over a mile behind the flow front are showing signs of increased activity. Officials are monitoring closely.
• New video shot by Mick Kalber of Tropical Visions Video aboard Paradise Helicopters shows the vigor of the breakout.
• After a holiday break, the next lava flow community update meeting will be held with representatives from Hawai‘i County Civil Defense and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Thursday, January 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pāhoa High School Cafeteria.

MEDIA

This evening’s Civil Defense message:

PRIMARY SOURCES

Today’s assessment shows that the flow front and south margin breakout remain stalled and there has been no advancement since Friday. The front or leading edge is located .5 miles upslope of the Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road intersection. Two breakouts along the north margin approximately 1-1.5 miles upslope or behind the flow front are showing signs of increased activity and advancement and will be monitored closely. Other surface breakouts and activity along both margins continues upslope however, current activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities. Civil Defense and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory personnel are maintaining close observations of the flow. Residents and businesses down slope will be kept informed of any changes in flow activity, advancement, and status.

The Railroad Avenue Alternate Access Road will be closed to all traffic effective 12:00noon Wednesday January 7th. This closure is necessary to allow for road maintenance and to preserve the road until such time that it is needed. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding with this closure and assure the community that the alternate access roads will be opened well in advance of any threat or impact of the lava flow.

On behalf of the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and our partners we would like to thank everyone for your assistance and cooperation. Hawaii County Civil Defense on Jan. 5 at 5:45 p.m. HST

Civil Defense Lava Flow Map – Updated Monday 1/5/15 at 7:00 am