PAHOA, Hawaii » The lava flow from Kilauea Volcano is lingering near Pahoa’s $3.9 million waste and recycling center while county officials keep an eye on a breakout upslope that moved 225 yards Wednesday.

Fingers of the lava flow that penetrated the facility’s fence on Tuesday stalled once they hit asphalt and have not moved closer to its structures, Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said. However, the lava has wiped out a nearby drainage ditch.

The county started prepping for the Pahoa Recycling and Transfer Station’s possible destruction in September by establishing a temporary transfer station site behind the Pahoa Community Center and is now looking into possible replacement sites for both locations.

Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd said officials are currently documenting the features of the facility to prepare for an application for funding assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. On Nov. 4, a presidential disaster declaration made public assistance available for efforts undertaken by the state, county and certain nonprofits to protect public safety during the so-called June 27 lava flow.

All eligible applicants are reimbursed on a cost-share basis, with federal funding expected to cover 75 percent of costs tied to lava-related losses and damage.

Lava as well as heat radiating from the flow threatens the waste and recycling facility, Leithead Todd said.

Largely constructed of steel and concrete, the Pahoa Transfer Station was built in 2011. Residents and county officials describe it as one-of-a-kind for its green infrastructure.

"One of the best facilities in all the state, maybe the country," Leithead Todd said.

Upslope, meanwhile, Hawaii County Civil Defense is watching a breakout that could reach Apaa Street in three to five days if it continues at its current rate.

Lava also continues to advance along a property off Cemetery Road where it burned a house on Monday.