KALAPANA, Hawaii – The 61g lava flow front reached the base of the Pulama pali Wednesday.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the ʻaʻā flow, fed by a narrow channel extending down the steep section of the pali, was observed burning vegetation in the adjacent kipuka.

(USGS photo) The flow front was supplied by a narrow channelized section on the steep portion of the pali.

The “Epic Lava” tour group was one of the first to announce the flow had reached the base of the pali, sharing video of the ʻaʻā flow on Facebook.

Hawaii County officials are opening the Kalapana emergency road to the public for lava viewing today. “Lava viewing along the three mile stretch of the County’s portion of the emergency road is permitted between the hours of 3 pm to 9 pm, daily,” officials announced Wednesday. “Vehicular traffic on the emergency road will be limited to local residents and emergency vehicles.”

(USGS photo) A mango tree is surrounded by the ʻaʻā flow.

“Visitors are reminded that the emergency road is a gravel road that traverses over older lava flows and ends at the National Park Service boundary,” county officials added. “Visitors are also reminded to prepare for the trek with proper footwear, sun screen, warm clothing, and water.”

(USGS photo) Another view of the flow front, contrasting the hot fluid core of the flow (red) with the brittle clinker (black) that forms the flow exterior.