A large column of smoke and ashes comes out from the Chaiten volcano as seen from the town of Castro, 1,200 kms (750 miles) south of Santiago, Friday, May 2, 2008. The Chilean government declared a state of emergency early Friday, evacuating about 250 people from the Pacific towns of Blanco and Chana, closing schools throughout the region and urging other residents to stay inside. (AP Photo/Alvaro Vidal) ORG XMIT: XRC103
Alvaro Vidal The Spokesman-Review