Ash From Erupting Volcano Forces Spanish Islanders To Cancel Flights, School Classes

The Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma has been spewing lava for six weeks causing a heavy fall of ash on Wednesday that has led to the cancellation of flights and school classes on the Spanish Island.

Authorities warned people living near the volcano to stay indoors since the local air quality is “extremely unfavorable” due to high levels of small particles in the air, the Canary Islands government’s emergency services said in a statement late Tuesday.

All flights to and from La Palma have been canceled due to the worsening ash, according to Spain’s national airport authority.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on Sep. 19, forcing the evacuation of over 7,000 people due to the lava threat.

Though most of the island’s 85,000 residents remain unaffected by the eruption, magnitude 5 earthquakes have left many people fearful of what’s to come.

Most recently, two dogs were trapped by lava and had no access to food or water. A drone company tried rescuing them but were unsuccessful, not being able to relocate the animals.

According to the Associated Press, the eruption could last up to three months.