(ABOVE) The latest Hawaii County Civil Defense map, updated Wednesday, 1/21/15 at 7:00 a.m. HST

4:45 p.m. | BRUSH FIRE

• Two brushfires have started as a result of the lava flow in the Pahoa area. The fires are located to the west or mauka of Highway 130 and to the south or Pahoa side of the Ainaloa Subdivision, civil defense reports. All fire activity is contained within the fire breaks and there is currently no threat to any communities or properties.

12:15 p.m. | MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL

Hawaii County Civil Defense chief Darryl Oliveira gives an update and answers a few questions during the 11:30 p.m. conference call.

10:30 a.m. | LAVA NEWS BRIEFS

• The active north breakout has not advanced since yesterday and appears sluggish, reports Hawaii County Civil Defense. The lobe is still located 0.4 miles from Highway 130 to the west or mauka of the Pahoa Police and Fire Stations.
• Lava related brush fire activity is contained within the fire break perimeters and is being monitored by the Hawaii Fire Department. There is currently no fire threat to area residents and properties.
• Two active breakouts 1 to 1.5 miles upslope have not advanced. The lobe had entered a drainage area leading to the steepest-descent path that crosses Highway 130 about .6 miles south of the Makuʻu Farmer’s Market.
• There are breakouts along both margins of the flow and Civil Defense says all current activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities.
• Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light northwest wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction.

MEDIA

This morning’s Hawaii County Civil Defense message:

PRIMARY SOURCES

This morning’s assessment shows that the original flow front and south margin breakout remain stalled. The breakout along the north side of the flow continues to be active however has not advanced since yesterday. The leading edge or front of this breakout remains 0.4 miles from the area of Highway 130 to the west or mauka of the Pahoa Police and Fire Stations. Two other breakouts along the north margin approximately 1-1.5 miles further upslope or behind the flow front remain active however sluggish and showing little signs of advancement. A number of other breakouts along both margins of the flow and within the flow pad were observed however all current activity does not pose an immediate threat to area communities. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are maintaining close observations of the flow. Residents and businesses down slope will be informed of any changes in flow activity and advancement.

Hawaii Fire Department personnel and equipment remain on scene and are monitoring the fire conditions. All fires that occurred are contained with the fire break perimeters and all burning activity is limited to hot spots and flare ups within the fire perimeters. There is currently no fire threat to area residents and properties.

Smoke conditions were light to moderate with a light northwest wind blowing the smoke in a southeast direction. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and individuals who may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.

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. 21 at 8:15 a.m. HST

Kīlauea Volcano continues to erupt at its summit and within its East Rift Zone. In the East Rift Zone, the breakout that had become the leading edge of the June 27th lava flow was active, but has been moving sluggishly since Saturday night. It did not advance appreciably over the last day, according to the Civil Defense assessment this morning. The leading edge remains approximately 650 m (0.4 mi) from Highway 130. Numerous breakouts were also active upslope. HVO geologists are mapping the distal flow field on the ground today.

June 27th Lava Flow Observations: According to this morning’s report from Hawai`i County Civil Defense, the breakout from the June 27th lava flow that is furthest downslope was active, but had not advanced since yesterday. The tip was still about 650 m (0.4 mi) from the highway, in the vicinity of the fire and police stations. Civil Defense also reports numerous breakouts along both margins of the flow.

The northern flow lobe that broke out from the main flow about 2.4 km (1.5 mi) upslope of the tip advanced about 180 m (195 yd) from January 13 to January 19, as seen in satellite imagery. Civil Defense reports that it is active but moving sluggishly this morning. It is in a drainage area leading to the steepest-descent path that crosses Highway 130 about 1 km (0.6 mi) south of the Makuʻu Farmer’s Market.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō Observations: The tiltmeter on the north flank of Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone did not record any significant change during the past day. All other monitoring data indicated no significant changes at Puʻu ʻŌʻō. The most recent measurement of sulfur dioxide emissions from all East Rift Zone vents was about 200 tonnes per day on January 7.

Summit Observations: The summit started the inflation phase of a DI event at about 6 pm yesterday evening and reached pre-DI levels by about 7 am. The level of summit lava lake fluctuated slightly in concert with DI deflation and inflation, but the level this morning was not significantly different than on Monday morning, when it was measured to be about 46 m (50 yd) below the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu. The lake also displayed minor lava level fluctuations associated with changes in spattering behavior, which are also manifested as variations in tremor amplitudes and gas release. Small amounts of particulate material were carried aloft by the plume. The emission rate of sulfur dioxide ranged from around 4,500 to 7,600 tonnes/day during the week ending January 13.USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Jan. 21 at 9:10 a.m. HST