A forest fire spoke on Wednesday on the Agua volcano in Guatemala. Near the town of Antigua, situated about 40 kilometres from the capital, Guatemala City. This emergency led to the rapid deployment of a fire-fighting team to the community of Santa María de Jesús, in the province of Sacatepéquez, in an attempt to bring the flames under control.
Joint efforts to bring the fire under control
Given the seriousness of the situation, the National Forestry Institute and the National Council for Protected Areas have joined the effort to bring the fire under control. Fortunately, so far, the local authorities have reported no injuries or damage to property. However, particular attention is being paid to the communities surrounding the volcano, with evacuation plans ready to be implemented if necessary.
The Volcán de Agua, an inactive volcano that towers over the landscape at an altitude of 3,760 metres, is situated near Antigua Guatemala, one of the country’s major tourist destinations. The city is famous for its colonial architecture and rich history, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Background to the forest fires in Guatemala
Guatemala is currently in the midst of its fire season, which began in December. To date, the country has recorded 232 forest fires, affecting 1,109 hectares of forest. Fighting these fires presents a constant challenge for the authorities, who are working tirelessly to protect the country’s natural resources and communities.