I?m looking for documented information in the form of newspaper or
scholarly journal articles that offer support or background on a
Mexican folklore that I have received from first-hand witnesses.

In a small village in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, close to the
border of Michoacan, several inhabitants for centuries have reported
seeing fires that erupt spontaneously from the earth.  These fires are
seen from a distance and appear only at night.  Apparently, they are a
signal that gold is buried below the fire, however, that the seeker
will be cursed if the gold is unearthed.  The gold was buried either
by indigenous slaves or early Mexicans hiding their treasure from a
corrupt government during the colonial era.

I?ve spoken with a number of people who have seen these fires, from
ages 25 and up.  As children, these witnesses have approached the
fires but all claim hearing the sounds of dragging chains or similarly
?spooky? sounds that scare them away.  As adults, they learn to ignore
the fires when spotted from afar.

I would like to find an essay or article that deals with this issue in
a serious manner, either as example of Mexican oral history or
folklore.

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Clarification of Question by islareina-ga on 17 Oct 2004 07:25 PDT

I should have added that I will accept answers in either Spanish or
English -- I am a Spanish speaker and I have engaged in the search for
this answer in Spanish and English with no success.  Also, please add
the source of the citation (article title, author, publication, etc)
if it's not too much trouble.  Thank you for your assistance.

Methane, popularly called "marsh gas" or "swamp gas," can ignite as it
rises, producing a brief burst of flame from the earth. This
phenomenon has sometimes led to tales of spooks and UFOs.

I wonder if they are called 'fuegos fatuos'?
This is the only English language reference I can find. 
"Near Mexico City [...] ancient stories about it talked of the 'fuegos
fatuos' (will 'o the wisps) and the 'brujas' (witches) which inhabited
the desolate, lonely and silent wastelands"
Perhaps a Spanish language will have more success in linking this
phenomenon to this area in Mexico.

answerfinder-ga