GUATEMALA / RankWire.AI / – Guatemala has elevated three departments to its highest alert status as the Fuego volcano continues to erupt vigorously, leading to evacuations and disruptions in nearby communities. Authorities issued red alerts for Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez and Escuintla, with a nationwide orange alert still active. Approximately 29,000 residents across 18 communities experienced ashfall, while emergency teams maintained evacuation orders in areas vulnerable to the volcano’s activity.
The eruption, which started on Monday, grew more intense as gas, lava and ash surged from the crater. Pyroclastic flows traveled through several ravines on Fuego’s western and southwestern slopes, reaching distances of five to seven kilometers. These flows, composed of hot gas, ash and rock, can move rapidly. Monitoring teams also observed an ash column spreading toward the west and northwest, with volcanic debris reported far beyond the immediate danger zone.
Initial evacuations were carried out in El Porvenir and Las Lajitas, communities located in San Juan Alotenango. About 250 individuals from roughly 50 families were evacuated at first. As more residents in vulnerable areas left, authorities expanded shelter operations. Currently, five shelters house approximately 1,699 people, with three additional sites on standby. Families in these shelters receive food, medical aid, security, and other necessary support.
Support in shelters for those displaced by the eruption
Guatemala’s disaster response agency, CONRED, coordinated evacuation efforts and emergency assistance alongside local authorities. The agency advised residents to steer clear of ravines, adhere to official directives, and keep emergency supplies prepared. It also recommended covering stored water and food to prevent contamination from ash. People in affected zones were instructed to wear masks or damp cloths to protect their nose and mouth. Emergency teams remain active in the three departments under red alert.
INSIVUMEH, Guatemala’s volcano and weather institute, reported that the most intense phase involved repeated pyroclastic flows in the Seca, Taniluyá, Ceniza, Las Lajas and Honda ravines. Continuous emissions of gas, lava, and ash kept seismic activity elevated. Scientists utilized field observers, seismic and infrasound sensors, cameras, and satellite imagery to monitor the eruption. Ash dispersion reached regions such as Sololá, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, and San Marcos, extending beyond the three departments under red alert.
Road closures and ash impact local communities
During the emergency, National Route 14, a major roadway near the volcano, was shut down. The Education Ministry suspended classes in nearby communities, while road crews monitored access points and travel conditions. La Aurora International Airport continued operating under volcanic ash protocols, according to the government. Security patrols also guarded evacuated neighborhoods to protect homes and assist residents who had left the area. Authorities restricted access to some zones exposed to volcanic activity around the mountain.
Heavy rain poses an additional hazard, as water can mix with loose volcanic material to form lahars. These swift mudflows can travel through ravines carrying ash, rocks, and debris. As of the latest update, officials reported no structural damage and no mudflows reaching villages. Fuego, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, lies roughly 30 kilometers south of Guatemala City and has a long history of disruptive eruptions.