HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii — Due to the forecast of severe fire weather conditions and higher risk of fires in some areas, portions of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will close at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, according to a park news release. Campfires will also be prohibited.

According to park staff, Mauna Loa Road will close to vehicles past the gate at Kipukapuaulu and Hilina Pali Road will also close to vehicles past the gate beyond Kulanaokuaiki Campground. However, pedestrians and bicyclists are allowed.

The public is also prohibited from starting campfires and open-flame cooking at the Kipukapuaulu day use area, Namakanipaio Campground and the fire pit near Kilauea Military Camp ball field.

“Although rain is common at the summit of Kilauea, other areas in the park are extremely dry with low humidity, and the park has entered into a high fire risk index in those areas,” said Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Fire Operations Specialist Matt Desimone.

“Safety is always our top priority, as well as the protection of the park's cherished natural and cultural resources," Desimone said.

Dry vegetation and low humidity are prime conditions for wildfires, and a common cause of wildfires are hot exhaust pipes and mufflers. Therefore, park officials are taking precautions by closing remote areas.

As of 10:02 a.m. Sunday, Hurricane Dora was located 995 miles east southeast of South Point, according to the National Weather Service. Though the agency predicts Dora will pass well south of the Hawaii Island, they forecast windy, very gusty and dry conditions Monday through Wednesday, which would increase the spread of any possible wildfires.

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