The Steam Vents parking lot in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be closed today from 8 a.m. to noon as park staff continue efforts to eradicate little fire ants (LFA) from the area. If the weather is unfavorable, Monday will be the alternate date.
Only the Steam Vents parking lot and the trail from the parking lot to Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) will be closed; Wahinekapu and Crater Rim Trail will remain open.
Park pest control workers will treat Steam Vents every four to six weeks and will announce closures in news releases, the park website, www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes, and via social media. The goal is to completely exterminate the ants from the area.
To date, staff have completed three treatment cycles at Steam Vents, and have observed a decreased presence of LFA.