HONOLULU -- Officials closed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park late on Tuesday morning because winds are blowing sulfur dioxide from an eruption of ash and gas from Kilauea Volcano.

Officials closed the park from Kilauea Military Camp to Chain of Craters Road. They closed Chain of Craters Road, Jaggar Museum and the hotel at Volcano. The military closed Kilauea Military Camp at noon.

Earlier in the day, county and state officials have issued an evacuation advisory for about 2,200 Big Island residents in the Kilauea volcano area because of toxic gas.

An increase in sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano's Halema`uma`u Crater has created hazardous conditions downwind.

Winds, expected to shift and start coming out of the southeast could blow dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide into the region, officials said Tuesday morning.

The affected areas are Mauna Loa Estates, Ohia Estates, Volcano Village, the Keauhou Ranch area and the Volcano Golf Course subdivision.

A shelter has been set up at Aunty Sally's Luau Hale near the Edith Kanakaole tennis stadium.

Items, Precautions Officials Suggest:

Bedding (blankets, sleeping bags, etc.)

Change of clothing

Special medications and needed medical equipment

Infant necessities (formula, diapers, baby food, etc.)

Personal toilet articles and sanitary needs

Be sure to provide for your pets as the shelter can not accomodate animals.

Sulfur dioxide can be especially harmful to those with asthma or other respiratory problems.

Safety Precautions:

Limit exposure

Close all windows to your home, cars and businesses

Listen to your body signs and leave if necessary

Enclosed rooms with air conditioning are the greatest protection

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Vog Video | Crater Images | Forecast: Wind Shift | Crater Cam

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Kilauea Volcano has been belching ash and gas for a couple of weeks. The rare eruption involves something deep inside Kilauea, officials said, and includes lava being ejected from the vent by powerful gas and water pressure.

Some ash has been falling in Pahala, one of several towns in the area, for weeks. Officials warned people to stock up on emergency items such as dust masks.

A couple days before the ash and gas eruption, an explosion on the crater's rim blew debris over a 75-acre area. The explosion left a carved out a small crater in the rim.