Fire Volcano Eruption
Guatemala's so-called "Volcano of Fire" is seen in a long-term exposure during a nighttime eruption in Escuintla, 40 miles to Guatemala's capital, February 12, 2002. This is one of four Guatemalan active volcanoes out of 36 that form the Guatemalan volcanic chain. REUTERS/Jorge Silva Reuters

Guatemala closed on Saturday La Aurora Airport after the Fire Volcano erupted, spewing ash and incandescent rock in the southern part of the South American nation.

The airport is expected to resume operations by early Sunday morning, reports the Guardian.

According to CNN, the volcano threw ashes up to 5,500 meters above sea level, leading authorities to raise alert level to “orange.”

Guatemala’s National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction agency ordered residents to take shelter, wear masks, cover their water tanks and learn about evacuation routes if they would need to leave their homes or towns, reports Miami Herald.

Although the towns near Fire Volcano were placed on alert, the government has not yet evacuated residents.

The volcano, which rises 3,763-meter high, lies on the borders of the Guatemalan states of Escuintla, Sacatepequez and Chimaltenango. It is near the Pacific Ocean coast and is about 60 miles away from Guatemala City.

As a popular tourist destination, tour agencies offer “long technical trail tours,” but the trek is not recommended for faint-hearted visitors.

Antigua town residents said a mixture of ash and drizzle made travel difficult, causing reduced visibility, even as the active volcano continues to rumble.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au