Hawaii residents still on alert as lava flow slows

PUNA, Hawaii (AP) — Residents in a sparsely populated neighborhood near Hawaii’s active volcano are still on alert while officials say a dangerous lava flow has slowed its advance.

The Hawaii Civil Defense Agency said Saturday that an inspection made by helicopter of the area shows the lava had flowed about 50 yards since Friday. The agency reported the flow advanced about 150 yards between Thursday and Friday. The flow was moving at almost 300 yards a day earlier in the week.

Officials said no residents have been asked to evacuate and that the flow does not pose an immediate threat. The nearest homes are about a mile from the flow, which could reach the residential area in about week. Residents remain under an “eruption warning” and are asked to be ready to evacuate.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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