(CNN) The Philippines' most active volcano has begun erupting again, after thousands of people on the main island of Luzon were earlier forced to evacuate. Authorities on Sunday upgraded the alert level at the Mayon volcano in the southern part of Luzon to "level 3" after observing steam eruptions and a bright lava glow. As many as 3,000 villagers fled their homes while the volcano spewed ash, according to CNN affiliate CNN Philippines. Mayon Volcano raising to Alert Level 3 pic.twitter.com/3RJMj8TZRR — PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) January 14, 2018The agency recommended creating an 11 km (7 mile) danger zone around the volcano to mitigate against "rockfalls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse." The last time Mayon erupted, the volcano exhibited similar activity beforehand, PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum told CNN Philippines.

Source: CNN January 15, 2018 06:45 UTC