El Salvadoran officials have evacuated thousands of residents from the area around the Chaparrastique volcano out of fears of a major eruption.

The volcano, which has erupted twice in the last six months, reportedly had a major explosion on Monday and reddish ash was seen spewing in the caldera.

The country’s Civil Protection Department has issued an alert for the city of San Miguel, 30 miles from the volcano and one of the largest cities in El Salvador.  Over 1,400 residents have been evacuated from the area and more are expected to be forced to leave.

Previous evacuations ahead of anticipated eruptions have kept the volcano from taking any lives.

Hernan Rosa Chavez, El Salvador’s Environment Minister, said that the volcano is experiencing higher levels of activity than during either of the previous two eruptions.

The last time the volcano suffered a major eruption was 1976 and officials fear the increased activity means a major eruption is imminent.