( CNN ) An eruption of Guatemala 's so-called `` fire volcano '' has closed an airport and forced the evacuation of at least 100 people . Guatemala 's national disaster agency says the volcano , known locally as Fuego Volcan , erupted Saturday and spewed ashes `` to an altitude reaching 5,500 meters ( 18,000 feet ) above sea level . '' The smoke and ash forced Guatemala 's La Aurora International Airport to stop all air traffic around the area . Guatemala 's alert level has been raised to `` orange , '' which puts in place the possibility of rescue operations , the disaster agency said . The volcano is near the Pacific Ocean coast about 60 miles from the capital , Guatemala City . Fuego Volcan is one of Central America 's most active volcanoes and has an elevation of 12,343 feet . It is a popular tourist attraction in Guatemala . Some companies offer `` long technical trail tours ... not for the faint of heart '' to the volcano , but say `` most visitors will be content to admire Fuego 's beauty from the safety of Antigua 's cobblestone streets . ''
At least 100 people who live near the volcano have been evacuated . The eruption of Mount Agung is a major threat to Indonesia’s tourism industry, which relies on visitors from around the world for about half its annual revenue.