Guatemala on alert as Fuego volcano shows increased activity

Guatemalan authorities ordered the preventive evacuation of two ​communities near the Fuego volcano late ‌on Monday as it entered a more intense eruptive phase, spewing ash and ​sending pyroclastic flows down its ​slopes.

The eruption sent pyroclastic flows — fast-moving ⁠mixtures of volcanic gas, ash ​and rock — down five ravines, disaster management ​officials said.

The evacuations were ordered in the areas of El Porvenir and Las Lajitas, ​both in the municipality of ​San Juan Alotenango.
Officials on Tuesday warned the flows ‌could ⁠travel further if activity intensifies.

Ash cloud dispersal could affect areas up to 100 km (62 miles) west and northwest ​of ​the volcano.

Authorities ⁠on Tuesday declared an "orange alert" and stepped up monitoring ​of the volcano.

A major eruption ​in ⁠2018 of the Fuego volcano, about 30 km (19 miles) south of Guatemala ⁠City, ​buried an entire community ​and killed more than 200 people.

-Reuters