The airport on the Spanish island of La Palma shut down Saturday because of an ash cloud spewing out of a volcano that has been erupting for a week, and scientists said another volcanic vent opened up, exposing islanders to possible new dangers.

The intensity of the eruption that began September 19 has increased in recent days, prompting the evacuation of three additional villages on the island, part of Spain’s Canary Islands archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean off northwest Africa. Almost 7,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes.

Lava spews from a volcano on the Canary island of La Palma, Spain in the early hours of September 25, 2021. (AP Photo)

The recent volcanic eruption is the first since 1971 on La Palma, which has a population of 85,000.

Two people walk as lava spews from a volcano on the Canary island of La Palma, Spain in the early hours of September 25. (AP Photo)

La Palma Airport operator Aena said the airport was “inoperative” due to the accumulation of ash. Other airports in the Canary Islands were still operating Saturday but some airlines were suspending flights, Aena said.

Emergency crews pulled back from the volcano Friday as explosions sent molten rock and ash over a wide area. The Canary Islands Volcanology Institute said another vent opened early Saturday.

Residents look from a hill as lava continues to flow from an erupted volcano, on the island of La Palma in the Canaries, Spain, on Sept 24, 2021. (AP Photo)

Lava from a volcano eruption engulfs houses on the island of La Palma in the Canaries, Spain, on September 23. (AP Photo)

“I don’t dare to tell you when it’s going to get there, nor do I dare to make a forecast,” Morcuende told reporters in a news conference.

A more immediate concern for the residents of La Palma is the huge ash cloud that is rising from the volcano and being carried by the wind to other parts of the island. In addition to being a significant danger to aviation, he said volcanic ash can cause damage to people’s airways, lungs and eyes.

Vehicles are covered by ashes from a volcano eruption at the island of La Palma in the Canaries, Spain, on September 24. (AP Photo)

The local government has urged residents in affected areas to avoid going outside and only do so wearing masks and goggles.

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