HONOLULU -- Officials on the Big Island are concerned that a lava flow might pose a danger to spectators.

The lava is flowing through the mostly abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision.

Kilauea Volcano continues to create beautiful and eerie scenes above Royal Gardens subdivision. A long finger of lava burned through the trees. Heavy clouds of smoke hang over the area.

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Volcano Interactive

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What few houses remain are far apart and mostly abandoned. The latest flow is traveling parallel to earlier flows that consumed much of the subdivision.

Most of the residents are long gone. Only two people spend time in houses in the area, officials said. Both of them have been contacted and know the danger.

The Big Island's mayor said his concern is about visitors and onlookers who might try to go view the lava flow.

"Our biggest concern right now is that this lava is at the edge of a pali (cliff), and when that happens seaward spectators become a problem," Mayor Harry Kim said.

Some people think it would be an easy walk to see the lava flow. However, Kim said it is more than four miles on dangerous terrain to get to the area.

"So we'll be looking at this very carefully so it does not become a problem," Kim said.

The volcano has been erupting since 1983.