Map of area burned by the Kupukupu

Map of area burned by the Kupukupu (swordfern) Fire as of 0700. Map courtesy of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The fire was ignited 15 days ago by the Mother's Day lava flow, which erupted from two new vents at the southwest base of Pu`u `O`o. Note the large area (620 hectares--1,530 acres) burned over on the afternoon and night of May 31-June 1; this prompted closure of the Chain of Craters Road. The fire illustrates an important principle of eruptions--the consequences extend far beyond those of the eruption itself.