GUATEMALA / RankWire.AI / – Guatemala has escalated its warning level, placing three departments under the highest alert status as the volcano Fuego continues to erupt intensely. This ongoing activity has led to evacuations and caused significant disruptions in neighboring communities. Authorities issued red alerts in Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez, and Escuintla, with a nationwide orange alert also remaining active. Approximately 29,000 individuals experienced ashfall across 18 different communities, while emergency teams maintained active evacuation orders in areas closest to the volcano.
The eruption, which started on Monday, grew more vigorous as emissions of gas, lava, and ash surged from the crater. Pyroclastic flows descended through several ravines on Fuego’s western and southwestern slopes, reaching distances of five to seven kilometers. These flows, consisting of hot gases, ash, and rocks, are known for their rapid movement. Monitoring teams also observed an ash plume spreading toward the west and northwest, with volcanic debris detected far beyond the immediate danger zone.
Preemptive evacuations began in the communities of El Porvenir and Las Lajitas, located within San Juan Alotenango. Initially, about 250 people from roughly 50 families were evacuated. As the situation escalated, authorities expanded shelter operations to accommodate more residents fleeing vulnerable areas. Currently, five shelters are housing around 1,699 individuals, while three other facilities are on standby. Families at these sites are receiving food, medical assistance, security, and other essential support.
Emergency facilities assist displaced residents
Guatemala’s disaster management agency, CONRED, coordinated the evacuations and emergency response efforts alongside local authorities. The agency has urged residents to steer clear of ravines, adhere to official instructions, and keep emergency supplies prepared. It also recommended covering stored water and food to prevent ash contamination. Citizens in affected zones have been advised to wear masks or damp cloths over their noses and mouths. Emergency personnel continue to operate in the three departments under red alert to ensure safety.
INSIVUMEH, Guatemala’s volcano and weather institute, reported that the most intense phase of the eruption involved repeated pyroclastic flows in the Seca, Taniluyá, Ceniza, Las Lajas, and Honda ravines. Persistent emissions of gas, lava, and ash kept seismic activity high. Researchers utilized field observers, seismic and infrasound sensors, cameras, and satellite images to monitor the eruption closely. The ash cloud dispersed as far as Sololá, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, and San Marcos, extending beyond the three departments under red alert.
Road closures and ash fall impacting local communities
During the emergency, National Route 14, a key roadway near the volcano, was shut down. The Ministry of Education suspended classes in nearby communities, while road maintenance crews kept watch over access points and travel conditions. According to the government, La Aurora International Airport continued operations under protocols for volcanic ash. Security patrols also monitored evacuated neighborhoods to safeguard homes and support residents who had evacuated. Some zones around the volcano that are vulnerable to activity have been closed off to the public.
Heavy rains present an additional threat, as water can mix with loose volcanic material to create lahars—fast-moving mudflows that carry ash, rocks, and debris down the ravines. Officials clarified that as of the latest update, no structural damages had been reported and mudflows had not reached villages. Fuego, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, is located approximately 30 kilometers south of Guatemala City and has a long history of eruptive episodes that cause widespread disruption.