70 evacuated as Colima volcano spews ash in western Mexico

Clouds of ash fill the sky after an eruption by the Colima volcano, known as the Volcano of Fire, near the town of Comala, Mexico, Friday, July 10, 2015. The volcano spewed ash more than 4 miles (7 kilometers) into the air and released some quantity of lava. People were advised to recognize a 3-mile (5-kilometer) perimeter around the peak. (AP Photo/Sergio Tapiro Velasco) Clouds of ash fill the sky after an eruption by the Colima volcano, known as the Volcano of Fire, near the town of Comala, Mexico, Friday, July 10, 2015. The volcano spewed ash more than 4 miles (7 kilometers) into the air and released some quantity of lava. People were advised to recognize a 3-mile (5-kilometer) perimeter around the peak. (AP Photo/Sergio Tapiro Velasco)

By Associated Press July 11, 2015 2 min read

MEXICO CITY (AP) – Ash and cinders spewed Saturday from the Colima Volcano in western Mexico, prompting authorities to close the airport in the state capital of Colima and order the evacuation of a half dozen hamlets on the flanks of the peak.

At least 70 people were staying at a shelter by the late afternoon.

The volcano began erupting on Thursday and has become increasingly active, leading officials to issue orders to relocate people living nearby.

Civil protection officials described the volcano’s movements as “atypical,” a kind of activity not seen since it underwent a strong eruption in 1913.

The Colima Volcano, which sits near the border of the western states of Colima and Jalisco, is also known as the Volcano of Fire.