A new volcanic eruption that began May 3 from Kilauea volcano on Hawai’i Island is causing lava to flow from cracks in the ground in residential areas and prompting thousands of people to evacuate.

The Pacific island’s governor signed an emergency proclamation releasing disaster funds to the Big Island as a result. Some 1,700 people are under mandatory evacuation after the burst from Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Many areas fall under voluntary evacuation zones, affecting around 10,000 residents. U.S. Geological Survey authorities of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory unit were both on the ground and in the air to assess the situation. All areas bordering East Rift Zone are at high risk for eruption according to Hawai’i County’s mayor.

The far east side of the island is a remote region, away from the rest of the Hawai’ian islands, which, according to a Hawaiian Tourism news release, will leave most tourist destinations unaffected. Travelers with a trip already booked to the Hawai’ian Islands or in the planning stages can rest assured knowing they can travel safely to the area. No flights into airports anywhere in Hawai’i are impacted by the Kilauea volcano eruption.

The closest resort areas in Kona and the Kohala Coast on the Hawai’i Island’s west side are still more than 100 miles away from where lava flow is occurring and shielded by the massive mountains of Maunakea and Maunaloa. Resort areas located on Oahu and Kauai and in Maui County are located hundreds of miles from the Kilauea volcano.

The clean and safe air quality on the island of Hawai’i also remains largely unchanged, aside from those areas closest to active eruption sites. Although many tourist destinations remain open, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park announced the park would remain closed until further notice. The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks also closed Lava Tree State Monument and Mackenzie State Recreation Area until further notice. The County of Hawai’i closed the Kalapana Viewing Area, as well.