Despite rumors, Arizona's Sunset Crater Volcano remains extinct

Social media created hype Wednesday about a plume of smoke reportedly seen rising from Sunset Crater Volcano north of Flagstaff, but Arizonans won't need to take cover from a volcano eruption anytime soon.

According to a statement from the chief of interpretation at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Cecelia Shields, the online reports are all false.

Contrary to a website called dutchsinse.com, which said the volcano was releasing steam on Wednesday, Shields said that park rangers didn't report any activity.

The U.S. Forest Service was performing prescribed burns near A-1 mountain, which was producing smoke about 30 miles west of Sunset Crater Volcano.

Arizonians were assured by experts Thursday that the state wouldn't be seeing smoke from Sunset Crater Volcano -- ever.

"It is extinct and not anticipated to erupt again," Shields said.

Although Sunset Crater Volcano isn't active, parts of the San Francisco Volcano Field in Flagstaff are.