PAHOA, Hawaii » A breakout lava flow upslope of the stalled front on Wednesday appeared to be taking a different path toward Highway 130, heading south of a farmers market in Pahoa and north of Pahoa Marketplace.

Tim Orr, a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist, said the recent breakout, which has two fingers, is heading in a direction that would lead it to a path of steepest descent that crosses the area’s main highway about a half-mile south of the Maku‘u Farmers Market.

The breakout is situated about 2 miles from the highway, Orr said, adding that "the flow is moving very slowly right now."

On Wednesday, the two breakouts advanced 75 yards and are about 1 mile to 1.5 miles from the leading edge, heading in a northeast direction.

The stalled flow front remains 880 yards upslope of the Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road intersection.

While the front of the so-called June 27 lava flow from Kilauea volcano has stalled intermittently in recent weeks, Orr said it is possible for that part of the flow to become active again.

Also, with molten rock oozing within 200 yards of the flow front, Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said it’s premature to advise Pahoa Marketplace area merchants that closed up shop before Christmas to reopen operations there. A gas station, grocery store, Longs Drugs and a medical center were among the businesses that left before the holidays in anticipation of a possible disaster.

Meanwhile, there are more breakouts and surface activity along the flow pad located between a half-mile and 2.5 miles upslope of the front.

County officials closed the Railroad Avenue Alternative Access Road on Wednesday for maintenance and to preserve the road. The road was built as an alternate route if lava crosses Highway 130, the main access route to Hilo for Puna residents. Officials opened the road last month to allow residents to become familiar with it.

The next lava flow community meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Pahoa High School cafeteria.