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Evacuation orders were issued Monday evening for anyone in the area east of Pomaikai Street to avoid being isolated by the flow.

And on Tuesday morning at 6:45, Highway 132 was shut down from Lava Tree State Park to Four Corners due to the lava’s approach, the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said.

The National Weather Service reported “Pele’s Hair,” sharp, thin strands of volcanic glass fibers, was falling in the Pahoa area.

Some feared a breach if lava penetrated the well shafts that tap steam and hot water to make electricity. Both wells were closed and secured in anticipation of the lava flow.

The plant, Puna Geothermal Venture, lies on the southeast flank of the volcano, nestled between residential neighborhoods. It was shut down shortly after Kilauea began spewing lava May 3.

The plant harnesses heat and steam from the Earth’s core to spin turbines to generate power. A flammable gas called pentane is used as part of the process, though officials earlier this month removed 50,000 gallons of the gas from the plant to reduce the chance of explosions. They also capped the 11 wells at the property to try to prevent a breach.

As of Friday, lava had destroyed 82 structures, including 37 homes.

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