HONOLULU -- Officials said they are keeping Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the areas near it closed on Wednesday because of the wind blowing sulfur dioxide from the ash and gas eruption at Halema`uma`u Crater.

The Red Cross closed a shelter at Auntie Sally's Luau Hale in Hilo. Six people stayed there overnight.

Southeasterly winds are forecasted to continue through Wednesday with the trade winds returning on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Closed Facilities:

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Volcano House

Kilauea Military Camp

Volcano Charter School

Officials said they would decide on Thursday morning whether to reopen the park.

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

Civil Defense officials urged residents to limit their exposure to the sulfur dioxide. 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.

The conditions at Halema'uma'u Crater are affecting more than the park and drivers.

Department of Agriculture Officials said livestock, farming and plant nurseries could be affected by the sulfur dioxide.

They have not gotten calls about sick livestock yet, but are warning livestock owners that are downwind of Kilauea to watch their animals closely for any sign of illness, officials said.

Farmers and nursery owners are being warned that ash fall could affect their crops and that anything picked from the fields needs to be thoroughly washed before it is eaten.

Overhead sprinklers may help to wash away ash and protect flowers and foliage from chemical damage.

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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.