EL PATROCINIO, Guatemala (AP) – Residents of small communities living around Guatemala’s Pacaya Volcano wake up every day wondering if lava will reach their homes.
A lava flow descending the volcano advanced between El Patrocinio and San José el Rodeo. In the latter case, the lava advanced to two and a half blocks from the outer houses.
Emma Quezada, a 38-year-old housewife in one of those houses, has lived there all her life and said she is used to volcanic activity. However, this time he is afraid.
“In the last three days the lava has stopped; we hope he stays there, “Quezada said.
Local authorities have spoken to residents about moving the community to another location about 100 kilometers away, but without the space they now have, she said.
“It’s like walking from here to a small piece of land!” she said. “We may not have a great thing here, but we live in a blessed peace, we do not face any other danger, not even thieves … The options it offers you do not compare to what we have here.”
Pacaya Volcano rises to 2552 meters between the departments of Guatemala and Escuintla south of the capital. It is a popular tourist destination and is surrounded by 21 communities.
In early February, a precipice opened in one of the flanks of the volcano and lava began to flow, which now extends at least 5 kilometers. Meanwhile, ash and gas were flowing from its crater.
Even if the lava does not reach their homes, the ash has damaged their corn crops and the pastures that the cows graze.
El Rodeo is home to 57 families, about 350 people, said Juventino Pineda, chairman of the Community Council for Urban and Rural Development.
Pineda, 67, can remember various eruptions during his lifetime. “One of the worst was 1962, I was a child and the lava also came out of a crack in the volcano, this time it was 20 kilometers of lava,” he said.
This time, Pineda says “we believe that at least 50% of the houses in the community would have been 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 day,” Pineda said.
As you approach the lava you can feel the increase in ambient temperature. There is a slight smell of sulfur and you can hear a crack.
“It’s important to know that we need help, maybe someone can help us internationally,” Pineda said.