A guide and tour group were fined for sneaking into the off-limits area at Halema’uma’u, the erupting crater of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii.
National Park Service law enforcement officers caught a tour guide and a group of 13 trying to access the site at night earlier this week and were all issued with fines totalling $130 each.
The guide was given additional citations for operating a non-permitted business in the park and endangering the safety of others.
The 44-year old male guide is affiliated with French tour company Adventure et Volcans.
He must make a court appearance and faces a $5,000 fine and up to six moths in prison.
Halema’uma’u has long been closed to the public due to the hazardous, unpredictable conditions.
"This is a serious violation. Areas surrounding Halema’uma’u Crater are closed because of extremely hazardous volcanic conditions that include high concentrations of toxic gases and particulates, ongoing volcanic explosions and frequent collapses of the crater walls," said chief ranger John Broward.
"Rangers will continue to monitor and take appropriate action to reduce the occurrence of risky behavior."
