Mexicans near Popocatepetl stay vigilant as volcano's activity increases

Volcanic activity from the Popocatepetl volcano led the Mexican government to raise the warning level and to close schools in dozens of municipalities across three states. On Monday, local, state and federal officials held drills for the possibility of evacuations.

At the edge of this town near the Popocatepetl volcano, away from the din of traffic, there was an occasional low rumble Monday, like an idling engine.

A cloud of superfine ash descended, slightly reducing visibility and coming to rest on vehicles' windshields. For more than a week, the 17,797-foot (5,425-meter) mountain just 45 miles (about 70 kilometers) southeast of Mexico City and known affectionately as "El Popo," has been increasingly explosive, spewing great plumes of gas, ash and incandescent rock into the air.

The activity led the Mexican government to raise the warning level and to close schools in dozens of municipalities across three states. On Monday, local, state and federal officials held drills for the possibility of evacuations.

"You hear it more at night," said Violeta Fuentes, 39, who lives with her husband and two children, ages 9 and 12, on the outskirts of Santiago Xalitzintla. That's also when they can see the glow from the crater. "Last night, several times it would go out one moment and then light up again."

Fuentes said she was a bit unnerved by it "because you can see (the volcano) doesn't want to be okay anymore." The family worried about the impact the falling ash would have on their crops. Her father-in-law's corn across the street was already coated in it.

The alerts and preparations, however, are old hat for residents here.

Job Amalco, a driver, said it was normal. "It doesn't scare us. We're spectators of what nature gives us," he said proudly.