Mexico raises alert level for Popocatepetl volcano as activity intensifies in last 24 hrs.

Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention warned people to stay away from Popocatépetl, saying that in the previous 24 hours it had observed more than 200 discharges from the volcano.

Mexican authorities have raised the alert level for the Popocatepetl volcano near Mexico City to indicate increasing intensity, reports news agency.

The volcano started spewing steam and gas and ejected burning fragments that caused fires in surrounding meadowlands.

The warning was issued by Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention which cautioned people to stay away from Popocatepetl.

The warning stated that in the previous 24 hours it had observed more than 200 discharges from the volcano, some 50 miles to the southeast.

Volcano’s alert was raised to level yellow phase three from yellow phase two, by the center indicating possible magma expulsion and explosions of increasing intensity.

It is reported to be the third-highest warning on the center’s seven-step scale, according to the Mexican Civil Protection agency.

On late Tuesday, an eruption generated a 3 kilometer (1.9 miles) column that released fragments of burning rock up to 2 km (1.24 miles) away in a northeasterly direction, setting fires to nearby pastures.

Several municipalities have also reported ash falling on them from the explosion, the center said.

The Popocatepetl volcano near Mexico City has emitted smoke and ash over the last few years, and a major eruption in 2000 forced the evacuation of approximately 50,000 residents in three states surrounding the peak.