The so-called June 27 lava flow crept closer to Pahoa on Thursday but at a slower rate, with the ribbon of molten rock reaching a forested area where the terrain is less steep.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists said the stream of lava moved only about 170 yards since Wednesday, less than half the speed over the past week.

Lava had been advancing at an average rate of more than 400 yards a day over the past week and is now in an area about 2.5 miles from the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Highway 130, which is near the Pahoa Marketplace shopping center.

If the lava continues on its present steepest-descending path, it could threaten Pahoa Marketplace in a couple of weeks or so, officials said.

But volcano scientists said it’s possible the flow could jump tracks and move in a different direction as it approaches an area where two lines of steepest descent run near each other.

At midday Thursday officials said the lava flow was about a quarter-mile from the junction of the two paths, one that leads to the Pahoa commercial complex and the other in the direction of Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision, and the lava could end up flowing down one path or the other, or both.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Mike Poland said officials might not know which path the lava takes until after the weekend.

Officials with Hawaii County Civil Defense were scheduled Thursday to meet separately with both Pahoa Marketplace merchants and community members to keep them updated on the lava flow.

Meanwhile, Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi on Wednesday signed a proclamation that extends a state of emergency declaration for another 60 days.