HONOLULU -- When the lava flows so do the crowds. Kilauea Volcano's latest activity has attracted close to 2,000 people in just the past few days.

Volcanoes National Park staff is are trying to keep people from walking on the unpredictable crust.

Lava flowing from the Puu Oo vent has come within yards of several homes in Kalapana and covered parts of highways 130 and 137.

Gary Smith's house is the closest. He was evacuated on Monday, but returned last night to monitor things. Observers said he could get lucky.

"Gary's house is the two-story house on the edge of the lava. He might be OK. It's burning up the grasses on his yard and it's up to his gazebo but it hasn't touched him and I think he might be OK," said photographer Leigh Hilbert.

People got to see a display Monday night when a finger of fast moving lava broke free.

Geologists said it appears the flow has slowed down and are more hopeful nearby homes will be spared.