The colossus, located about 35 km southwest of Guatemala City, increased its eruptive activity on Sunday with the launch of lava, ash and rock columns.
“As a prevention measure, about 125 families, approximately 900 people, have begun to be evacuated” of the Caserío El Porvenir, of the municipality of Altanango, the spokesman of the Conred, Juan Laureano told journalists.
An AFP photographer observed the arrival of buses with people evacuated to the Altanango Municipal Hall, which will work as a temporary shelter.
The authorities declared on Sunday night the orange alert for the “constant communication with the mayors and governors” of places near the volcano “to coordinate prevention and response actions” before the strong eruption, said a statement from the CONRED.
The Government also suspended school activities in Alotenango and closed National Route 14 that crosses the town and that unites the south of the country with the colonial city of Antigua, the main tourist site of Guatemala.
Laureano added that they also monitor the descent of pyroclastic flows – gas, ash and rock blocks with high temperatures that descend at high speed – that fall down the slopes of the volcano, 3,763 meters high and located between the departments of Escuintla, Chimaltenango and Sacatepéquez.
The Volcano of Fire caused an avalanche of burning material on June 3, 2018, which devastated the San Miguel Los Lotes community in Escuintla and part of the road in Altenango, Sacatepéquez, and left 215 dead and a similar figure of missing.
In Guatemala, the Santiaguito (west) and Pacaya (South) volcanoes are also active.
According to the Special Volcanological Bulletin Befgo 006-2025 issued by the @insivumehgthe #Volcánduego It records a descent of pyroclastic flows of weak and moderate characteristics to the ravines Las Lajas and El Jute, which will generate fall of abundant ash. pic.twitter.com/43cf0xiat3
– Conred (@conedguatemala) March 10, 2025
According to Conred, the orange alert is also for the forest fire season and active threats present in the national territory.
Volcanic ash dispersion map, fire volcano. Of 2025-03-10. 01:00 hours (local time)#Somosinsivumeh #EblodignoEsPrimero #CIV pic.twitter.com/n9qj0iiv3h
– Insivumeh (@insivumehgt) March 10, 2025