On Wednesday, it burned mostly vegetation, while the rain helped tamp down smoke from the crackling stream. Officials are monitoring hazards from the smoke. Chemists from the observatory detected only low levels of sulfur dioxide, Oliveira said.
The lava flow emerged from a vent in June and until recently had been slowly weaving through uninhabited forest and pastureland. The flow is expected to slither past properties across the street from Jeff and Denise Lagrimas' home as it works its way toward the ocean, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) away. The Lagrimases decided not to stay and see if the lava burns their home. They packed up to leave for a town 14 miles (22 kilometers) away.
