Lava remains active, but ‘very sluggish’ on Big Island

The new leading edge of the Puna lava flow is remains active, but is “very sluggish,” Hawaii County Civil Defense said after a morning overflight Monday.

The breakout on the north side of the stalled former flow front remained about 700 yards from Highway 130, mauka of the Pahoa police and fire stations.

Two other breakouts about 1 mile to 1.5 miles further upslope also were active, but sluggish, Civil Defense officials said.

These breakouts are in a drainage area leading to a steepest-descent path that crosses Highway 130 about 0.6 mile south of the Maku’u Craft & Farmers Market.

Hawaii County firefighters continued to monitor brush fires sparked by the lava. However, hotspots and flareups remained contained within fire perimeters, according to Monday’s Civil Defense report.

The fires and lava do not pose an immediate threat to residents or property, officials said.