UPDATE: 7:35 p.m.
Puna Geothermal Venture removed at least 12,000 gallons of flammable pentane today from its plant and moved it to a secure location in Shipman Industrial Park in Keaau, Hawaii County Civil Defense officials said tonight.
Another roughly 50,000 gallons were expected to be moved Thursday or Friday, according to a power plant spokesman.
With the gas having an explosive potential and lava flowing in the area, Gov. David Ige approved an emergency proclamation today giving him the power to do whatever it takes at the plant to protect the community, including moving the pentane if PGV failed to do it.
The PGV plant, which provides power to Hawaii Electric Light Co., closed after the eruption started last Thursday evening but still contained roughly 60,000 gallons of gallons of the flammable liquid. For days, residents from the area have expressed concerns about the pentane, which they fear could ignite and cause a major explosion.
Ige said earlier today that he expected the fuel would all be removed by the end of the day Thursday.
The plant is owned by Ormat Technologies of Reno, Nevada and is across a highway from where lava was erupting today.
6:30 p.m.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will close Friday and until further notice because of the possibility of an explosive eruption that could blast steam, rock and ash from the Halemaumau lava lake crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano.
Most of the park will be closed, except for the Kahuku Unit , which will be open during its normal hours, Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Park officials said the closure is due to the possibility of a steam-induced explosion at the summit of Kilauea followed by an ash-fall event. Earlier today HVO geologists warned of the potential for explosion eruptions of ash, steam, rocks and gases at the summit if the Halemaumau crater lava lake drops to the water table.
6:20 p.m.
Hawaii County Civil Defense officials say the lava outbreak from fissure No. 15 in the Lanipuna Gardens subdivision has paused after producing a pahoehoe lava flow earlier today.
They also said the Hawaii Police Department evacuated 10 homes on Alaili Road, west of Highway 130 between Malama Street and Kamaili Road because of steaming cracks in the ground.
Pohiki Road continues to be closed from Highway 132 to Highway 137.