For the second time this month, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has been closed because of high sulfur dioxide levels from the emissions at Kilauea Volcano.

Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando ordered the closure until further notice, including the Volcano House Hotel. Park rangers were closing all facilities except for the Kilauea Military Camp, which opted to remain open, said Park Ranger Mardie Lane.

There was no immediate threat to anyone's safety, parks officials said.

"Our primary concern is for the health and safety of visitor and employees," said Incident Commander Joe Molhoek. "We're in close contact with the National Weather Service and look forward to favorable winds by week's end."

The park has about 800 employees, and Park Ranger Mardie Lane said most of those workers and all of the visitors who arrived this morning would be evacuated. The park has been hosting about 3,000 visitors a day lately, although many come at night.

National Park Service emergency responders will remain on duty.

Crater Rim Drive was closed this morning beyond Kilauea Military Camp and to the Chain of Craters Road junction after sulfur dioxide concentrations from Kilauea volcano climbed to more five times the level deemed to unhealthy in some parts of the park. That meant Jaggar Museum and the Kilauea Visitor Center were already closed at the time of the latest announcement.

Big Island Civil Defense officials warn that light winds are expected in the area from the southeast later today, which could cause heavy vog or haze from the volcanic emissions to blow into the Hilo and Puna areas.