Thick vog covering much of the Big Island drove residents out of their homes today and shut down Volcanoes National Park.

Civil Defense has activated the highest air quality alert level-- code purple... for several neighborhoods.

That's in response to dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide blowing in their direction.

Here's what the Big Island woke up to- a thick layer of vog blanketing lower Volcano to Hilo.

"As soon as the sun broke, you could see there was a very heavy vog presence in the hilo area," said Hawaii County Fire Chief, Darryl Oliveira.

Residents sum it up this way.


Really bad, really bad," said Parks & Recreation Worker, Mike Brown. "It's pretty bad. First thing I came out of my house this morning, I could feel it in my throat already."

Made worse because the winds shifted from the South, pushing plumes from Pu'u O'o and Halemaumau toward Hilo, bringing dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide with them.

"Definitely the winds are playing a significant role and one of the primary roles in how the impact is on the community because the wind will push the plume in different directions," said Oliveira.

Concerns from heightened levels of sulfur dioxide prompted Civil defense to raise the alert level to Code purple, the highest on its 5 color scale for these areas.

Mauna Loa Estates, Ohia Estates, Volcano Village, Keauhou Ranch area, Volcano Golf Course Subdivision.

Code purple urges anyone with respiratory problems to stay indoors.

Voluntary evacuations were also ordered, Volcanoes National Park shut down.

Two other areas are under a high alert, code red status- Royal Hawaiian Estates and Hawaiian Orchid Isle Estates because of possible high sulfur dioxide levels.

These districts are classified as moderate risk or code yellow- lower Puna, South Hilo, South Kohala and North Kona districts.

The American Red Cross has set up a shelter at Aunty Sally's luau Hale in Hilo to help residents cope with the air quality.

If anybody is having some problems with breathing, they can come in. We have nurses on standby," said Joy Memmer, American Red Cross.

Residents say it comes with the territory, but are eager for it to blow over soon.

"Hopefully the wind will shift and push it back over," said Brown.

"I believe the advisories will remain in effect until Thursday unless we see or receive word from the National Weather service that the wind patterns will change," said Oliveira.