Guatemala’s famous Fuego volcano has erupted. More than 30,000 nearby villagers are on red alert for potential evacuation. By late Wednesday, roughly 1,700 people had sought shelter, officials said. A red alert is the highest level alert for the Central American country. Fuego has proven to be deadly in the past. A 2018 eruption killed 200 people. And it buried entire villages while sending fast-moving flows of hot gas, ash, and rock rolling down mountainsides. Schools remained closed for thousands of children on Wednesday. The alert level was raised to red in three villages. National Route 14 also was closed. It's a major highway that runs near the volcano. Experts warned that the next 24 hours, through Thursday, are key. The eruption sent mudflows up to 4.3 miles long downward from the volcano. Rainfall could worsen matters, raising the risk of more volcanic mudflows. None of the mudflows have reached villages — yet. But officials warned people to wear masks and cover any water storage containers. Toxic ash could pollute the water supply if left uncovered. The volcano began its current eruption on Monday. Fuego is one of the region’s most active volcanoes. Edwin Rojas told reporters that ash has spread dozens of miles and reached three miles above sea level. He is one of Guatemala's leading experts on volcanoes. Fuego is still in an "explosive phase," Rojas said Tuesday. The nation does not have laws that require people to leave their homes. But officials from the country's disaster agency were going door to door urging people to get out of harm's way. Reflect: When you hear about something big happening in nature, are you more curious about how it works or more focused on how it affects people? Photo of Guatemala's Fuego volcano erupting from Reuters.