Guatemala began evacuating some residents from the slopes the Volcano of Fire Thursday after a new eruption spewed hot gas and ash high into the sky.

Michelle Alvarado, acting director for the National Disaster Reduction Coordinator, said that more than 500 people were moved to shelters from five communities in Chimaltenango, Escuintla and Sacatepequez departments.

Alvarado said they have several shelters prepared in case the volcano’s activity continues and the number of evacuees increases.

Wilver Guerra, a 28-year-old resident, moved to a shelter in Chimaltenango.

"At first everything was normal, it was today in the morning that the volcano’s activity increased a bit, but thank God, everything is fine so far. Everything is fine,” he said.

Authorities also closed a highway in the area and suspended classes at 39 schools.

The 12,300-foot (3,763-meter) high volcano is one of the most active in Central America. It is 33 miles (53 km) from Guatemala’s capital.

A 2018 eruption killed 194 people and left another 234 missing.

AP video shot by Moisés Castillo.