Mexican volcano rumbles on

Mexico's famed Popocatepetl volcano spews smoke and ash on nearby towns and villages.

Officials are now considering the possibility of evacuations, and are mobilizing to prepare for such measures.

Last month, Mexico's National Centre for Disaster Protection raised the alert level for the volcano to it's third highest on a seven-step scale.

Some local residents say they are scared of a possible erruption but don't have the money to move away.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESIDENT OF SANTIAGO XALIZINTLA, MAGDALENO CHALCHI, SAYING:

"It frightens us, but where shall we go? To go to the city costs money. Here we live in fear but we're holding on."

"Popo," as the volcano is commonly known, has spat out mile-high clouds of ash and smoke several times this year.

The last major eruption was in the year 2000, causing over 40,000 people to flee their homes.

Sarah Sheffer, Reuters