A traditional hula practitioner (L) carries an offering while walking on a cooled recent lava flow from a Kilauea volcano fissure on Hawaii's Big Island, May 27, 2018 in Pahoa, Hawaii.

(Mario Tama/Getty Images)

At a Glance

Police say they've had to arrest dozens of people for illegally taking selfies in restricted areas near the Kilauea Volcano.About a dozen people have been arrested for this offense in the last 10 days, officials said.People arrested for trespassing near the Hawaii volcano also face fines up to $5,000.

Since fissure eruptions began in early May, Hawaiian officials say they've arrested dozens of people who have gotten dangerously close to theKilauea Volcano to take selfies.

Despite the dangers from hot lava and harmful gas emissions, and warnings from police to stay away from the area, some visitors have taken big risks to be the first to stand on new land. ABC News reported have been arrested in the last 10 days for trying to take selfiesat the volcano, and local estimates say at least 40have been jailed since eruptions began at nearby fissuresMay 3.

A police officer told KITV.com that onedetainee decided to take the selfie because"."

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"When officers have to spend so much time getting people out of areas that are clearly closed, it means they’re being taken away ,"DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE)Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla said in a release. "The rescues and subsequent citations this morning show that some people are not heeding warnings to stay away. They’re putting their own lives at risk, the lives of law enforcement and first responders, and the lives of local residents who may need to evacuate quickly."

In addition to the threat of arrest, those who get too close to the lava flows , according to Hawaii News Now.

"I find there is a need to strengthen the enforcement tools available to county and state emergency management officials in controlling public access to dangerous areas and associated evacuation efforts as a result of the failure of the public to comply with instructions and orders issued by officials," Gov. David Ige said in a statement.

Officials say more than 600 homes have been destroyed in the Lower Puna area of the Big Island since the lava flows began more than seven weeks ago.