Volcano erupts in Chile

(CNN) -- Several communities in Chile remained on edge Wednesday after a volcano sent a column of gray ash into the sky and lava cascading down a snow-covered mountain.

More than 1,000 people have fled their homes even though the government has not ordered an evacuation.

"There are no signs yet of an increased risk," Chile's Emergency Bureau director, Carmen Fernandez, told The Associated Press.

"There is some flow of lava, but not in a continued manner yet."

But almost 200 people were ordered to leave a nearby national park after pillars of orange flame rocketed into the night sky from Llaima volcano, which towers above central Chile at 3,125 meters (10,252 feet). Watch the spectacular eruption »

If the volcano keeps erupting, authorities may have to evacuate 6,000 people from the nearby town of Melipeuco, Fernandez said.

The lava flow has melted snow and swollen nearby rivers. That has raised fears of flooding, with the water already blocking one road.

The volcano sent a plume of smoke nearly 12,500 meters (41,000 feet) into the air after erupting around 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution. Watch smoke rise from the volcano »

Lava poured down the east side of the mountain, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Buenos Aires reported on its web site. The government is urging people to remain calm and stay inside.

Scientists have told authorities that a continual flow of lava is unlikely but possible.

The volcano is one of the most active in Chile. It's roughly 680 km (422 miles) south of the Chilean capital of Santiago. E-mail to a friend

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