Today, a small breakout was crossing the Chain of Craters Road in a continuing display of volcanic activity from Kilauea since 1995. The latest flow that began May 12 has triggered one major fire, burning more than 3,600 acres.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the breakout of lava crossing the Chain of Craters Road has been cascading into the sea on the east side of the Big Island.

Although Kilauea has been erupting for nearly 19 years, officials say up to 2,500 people a day have been flocking to witness the latest dramatics.

``Conditions change rapidly,'' said James Gale, a guide for Volcano National Park. ``It's really very powerful to see something like this face-to-face.''

Flights to Hilo International Airport are heavily booked and car rental agencies on the Big Island report having few vehicles. Park rangers say cars stationed along the road a few hundred yards from the flow have been backed up for two miles.

Rangers have warned visitors that the volcano can be deadly as the lava creates acidic and potentially harmful steam plumes and undermines the lava crust that can suddenly collapse.

In November 2000, two hikers died after they apparently were overcome by fumes where the lava enters the sea. In October, a woman fell to her death in Kilauea's caldera.

Smoke from burning asphalt as lava meets road poses an additional danger.

``Delighted visitors are sucking up the asphalt smoke,'' said today's early report from scientists monitoring the flow.

Rangers hand out cotton gloves to protect against burns and have been using reflectors to mark the safest path to view the fiery show after dark.

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported seeing a pre-dawn glow today from fires above the lava flow that ``testifies to its presence in the forest.''

No buildings or major roadways have been threatened by the latest phase in Kilauea's long eruption.

A Global Positions Satellite system is closely monitoring the broader rise of the lava, which could signal explosive activity. Tiltmeters placed on the lava show whether a dome is rising. A brief ``inflammatory bump'' was recorded yesterday but was flat by midnight and remained flat this morning, the scientists said.

Mapping shows a new lobe of lava developing to the east of the flow, moving at the rate of more than 300 feet a day. Molten lava often flows beneath the surface in tubes, sometimes breaking out into the ocean underwater.

An overflight yesterday found incandescence along a portion of Kilauea's crater, the scientists said, but there was no indication of a radical change in the marathon eruption.

Seismic activity began increasing in the area in June with a ``fairly high level'' of earthquake activity, the scientists reported.