The eruption of the Volcano of Fire returned on Monday, March 10 to its normal parameters, according to the latest bulletin of the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh); However, the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) maintains recommendations to prevent risks.
According to Insivumeh, the base activity of the Fire volcano is characterized by weak and moderate explosions in a range of five to ten per hour, generating gas and ash columns up to 4,800 meters above sea level.
He adds that, due to the abundant material deposited in the dried, mineral, ash, juice and slabs, as well as the presence of rains, the descent of lahares could be recorded. Therefore, the monitoring of volcanic activity is maintained through field observers, seismic stations, web cameras and satellite images.
Hundreds of residents left at dawn with backpacks with clothes and food from the El Porvenir and Lajitas hamlets, in Alotenango, to take refuge in a municipal hall, about ten kilometers away, or in houses of relatives or friends.
The activity brought the tragedy of June 3, 2018 to memory, when an avalanche of burning material of the volcano swept the San Miguel Los Lotes community, in the department of Escuintla, and part of a road in Alotenango, with a balance of 215 dead and a similar amount of disappeared.
The colossus, 3,763 meters high, is located between the departments of Escuintla, Chimaltenango and Sacatepéquez and is considered the most active in Central America.
Conred recommendations
To the general population:
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Avoid approaching the ravines so as not to get at risk.
- Use mask before the presence of ash.
- Check your family response plan and prepare your 72 -hour backpack.
- Apply the self -evacuation principle if necessary.
To the departmental and municipal authorities:
- Maintain constant monitoring of volcanic activity in its jurisdictions.
- Promote prevention as a culture in their territories, promoting the use of the 72 -hour backpack and the confirmation of family response plans.
- Inform community leaders, presidents of the Community Development Councils, coordinators for disaster reduction and general population about what is indicated in this notice.
With AFP information