On Sunday, the National Disaster Prevention Center of Mexico raised the alert level for the Popocatépetl volcano in Central Mexico to Phase 3, just shy of an evacuation order. The volcano has been spewing ash and smoke, prompting officials to close schools and public parks, and to prepare for the possibility of evacuations. The increased activity also temporarily shut down Mexico City’s two main airports.
Residents living near the volcano are urged to avoid going outdoors as much as possible and to wear a face mask or cover their nose and mouth with a handkerchief if they do. In areas where ash is accumulating, the center said residents should cover water containers to avoid contamination, and sweep the ash and collect it in bags.
The volcano alert level was raised a day after Popocatépetl caused ash to fall from the sky, prompting the temporary closure of the two main airports serving Mexico City. Volcanic ash is particularly dangerous to aircraft, according to the U.S.G.S. Falling ash can interfere with plane radio transmission and navigation systems, it can block fuel nozzles and it can create dangerous conditions on runways that can lead to braking issues.