Guatemala on Alert as Fuego Volcano Eruption Forces Hundreds to Evacuate

In the early hours of Aug. 4, Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, once again erupted, forcing authorities to evacuate more than 650 residents as dangerous flows of superheated gas, ash, and volcanic debris could be seen spewing down the rugged terrain.

Claudinne Ogaldes, executive secretary of Guatemala’s National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED), said residents have been evacuated from several communities, with nearly 300 people relocated to temporary shelters as authorities continue to monitor the volcano’s activity.

Officials warned that additional communities could be evacuated if volcanic activity intensifies. Among the first affected were El Porvenir and Las Lajitas, settlements located near the impacted area.

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Authorities issue emergency alert

In response, Guatemalan authorities issued an “Orange Alert,” the country’s second highest emergency alert in response to the volcano’s activity. It also deployed personnel to the entrance of neighboring Acatenango volcano, where hiking has been suspended as a precaution.

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Guatemala’s National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) reported that the eruption generated pyroclastic density currents–rapidly moving mixtures of extremely hot gas, ash, and volcanic rock capable of posing a severe threat to communities in their path. The flows traveled approximately three to four miles down the volcano’s slopes, according to authorities.

Fuego has also continued ejecting volcanic ash, gases, incandescent rock fragments, and lava. Ash plumes were expected to rise thousands of feet above sea level before spreading downwind, potentially affecting communities farther from the volcano. INSIVUMEH also reported 34 seismic events across Guatemala during in the past few days.

History of deadly eruptions

Located about 30 miles southwest of Guatemala City, Fuego, Spanish for “fire,” has a long history of frequent eruptions. Researchers at Oregon State University have documented more than 60 eruptions since the 16th century. The volcano last erupted in June 2025, though one of its deadliest modern eruptions occurred on June 3, 2018, when pyroclastic flows swept through nearby communities.

According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, the 2018 disaster killed more than 110 people, left 197 missing, and devastated settlements in the surrounding region.