EL PATROCINIO, Guatemala (AP) – Residents of small communities living around Guatemala’s Pacaya volcano wake up every day wondering if the lava will reach their home.
A lava flow down the volcano has advanced between El Patrocinio and San José el Rodeo. In the case of the latter, the lava has advanced two and a half blocks from the outermost houses.
Emma Quezada, a 38-year-old housewife in one of these houses, has lived there all her life and has said she is used to volcanic activity. Still, this time he’s scared.
“The last three days the lava stopped; we hope he stays there, ”Quezada said.
Local authorities had spoken to residents about moving the community to another location about 100 miles away, but without the space they have now, he said.
“As if you were from here to a small piece of land!” she said. “Maybe we don’t have anything fantastic here, but we live in blessed peace, we don’t face any other danger, not even thieves … The options they give you don’t compare to the ones we have here.”
Pacaya Volcano rises to 2,552 meters between the departments of Guatemala and Escuintla in the south of the capital. It is a popular tourist destination and is surrounded by 21 communities.
In early February, a chasm was opened on one side of the volcano and lava began to flow, and now extends for at least 5 miles. Meanwhile, ash and gases came out of his crater.
Even if the lava does not reach their home, the ash has damaged corn crops and pastures where their cows graze.
The Rodeo hosts 57 families, about 350 people, said Juventino Pineda, president of the Community Council for Urban and Rural Development.
Pineda, 67, may remember several eruptions during his lifetime. “One of the worst was in 1962, I was a kid and the lava also came out of a fissure in the volcano, that time it was 20 miles of lava,” he said.
This time, Pineda says that “we believe that at least 50% of the homes in the community would be destroyed due to the lava path.” There is an evacuation plan if the situation worsens.
“At night, when the volcano erupts, everything turns red, everything shines, it looks like it’s daytime,” Pineda said.
As you approach the lava you can feel the ambient temperature rise. There is a slight smell of sulfur and a crunch is heard.
“It’s important to know that we need help, maybe someone can help us internationally,” Pineda said.