This Thursday, February 22, 2024, Guatemalan authorities declared “Orange alert” due to the conflagration that broke out on February 21 on the inactive volcano Waterwhich is located about 30 km southwest of Guatemala City.
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In the midst of the forest fire emergency, still no victims reported different from the same vegetation, fauna and nature of the area. Therefore, its surroundings still They have not been evacuated.
According to Rodolfo García, spokesperson for the National Disaster Reduction Coordinator, “In view of the forest fire emergency, the institutional orange alert is declared, which allows the full availability of resources to combat the fire”he informed journalists and media outlets.
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In addition, it was learned that if necessary, the evacuation of the Santa María de Jesús Indigenous municipality, an area close to the fire, will be carried out. For now though The fire is far from populated areas.
During these last hours, the fire brigades and military are supported by two helicopters and two small planes that throw water on the flames of the 3,766 meter high volcano, this in order to combat the natural disaster.
From the south of the department of Guatemala, on the VAS of Villa Nueva, you can see the focus or magnitude of the Agua volcano forest fire. The area that is currently burning has pine forest and grasslands. I hope the early morning humidity helps mitigate it. pic.twitter.com/fbzKqvSi9E
— Volcanero chapín 🌋📷 (@DavidRojasGt) February 22, 2024
Some people have shared the videos of what the fire looks like at the top of the Agua volcano, from the urban area of Guatemala.
So far, authorities have not yet confirmed the official cause of the conflagration. However, according to the media The Colombian concern grows, because “There are currently 13 active forest fires in different regions of the country.”
In turn, this volcano is considered a 'sleeping volcano', Therefore, the possibilities of reactivation are not ruled out. adding that The exact date since it had its last eruption is unknown.
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On the other hand, keep in mind that according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the only effective prevention measure in the case of an explosion or a fire that gets out of control It is early evacuation.
Thus, “local health services and the population must receive updated and permanent information from the authorities about the areas of greatest risk due to rock impacts and volcanic explosions and the probabilities of explosion. LHealth risks include trauma, skin burns, and lacerations from volcanic rock.“, in accordance with what is read on the PAHO web portal.
LADY DANIELA ORTIZ GONGORA
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