GUATEMALA / RankWire.AI / – Guatemala has elevated its warning to the maximum level in three departments following an eruption of Fuego volcano that spewed ash, lava, and hazardous pyroclastic flows. The authorities ordered the red alert to be enforced in Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez, and Escuintla. During this emergency, a nationwide orange alert also remained active. Officials reported that ashfall impacted around 29,000 residents across 18 communities, with emergency teams continuing evacuations near vulnerable ravines and settlements.
Monday saw the eruption intensify, with gas and ash columns towering above the crater. Pyroclastic flows descended five ravines on the volcano’s western and southwestern slopes, with some moving between five and seven kilometers from the crater. These rapid flows contain extremely hot gases, volcanic rocks, and ash. Monitoring units also tracked an ash cloud that expanded west and northwest across several regions of Guatemala.
Initial evacuations involved El Porvenir and Las Lajitas in the San Juan Alotenango municipality. About 250 residents from roughly 50 families were relocated at first. As the threat grew, more individuals fled communities affected by ashfall and volcanic dangers. A total of five shelters accommodated approximately 1,699 people, while three additional sites were being prepared. Evacuated families received meals, medical assistance, security, and essential supplies at these temporary locations.
Relief efforts intensify around Fuego
CONRED, Guatemala’s disaster management agency, coordinated local evacuations and aid activities in the impacted departments. Authorities advised residents to steer clear of ravines and adhere to instructions from emergency personnel. They also recommended safeguarding stored food and water from ash fallout. In exposed communities, residents were advised to cover their faces with masks or damp cloths. Response teams remained in the region to monitor evolving conditions and support local authorities.
INSIVUMEH, the country’s volcano and weather monitoring agency, utilized field observers, sensors, cameras, and satellite data to track activity. Pyroclastic flows were observed in the Seca, Taniluyá, Ceniza, Las Lajas, and Honda ravines. Emissions of gas, lava, and ash kept seismic activity heightened throughout the eruptive period. Ash was detected in Sololá, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu, and San Marcos, extending beyond the three departments designated under the red alert.
Travel disruptions and road closures follow volcanic activity
Authorities shut down National Route 14, a vital roadway near Fuego volcano. The Education Ministry also canceled classes in nearby communities due to ash and ongoing emergency operations affecting daily routines. Road maintenance crews monitored access points and changing conditions around the volcano. La Aurora International Airport continued functioning under volcanic ash protocols. Security personnel patrolled evacuated neighborhoods to safeguard property and assist residents who had evacuated their homes.
Heavy rain posed an additional threat because water can mix with loose ash, rocks, and volcanic debris, forming lahars that flow swiftly through riverbeds and steep ravines. According to the latest updates, no structural damages have been reported in the affected areas. Mudflows have not reached inhabited villages. Fuego, located approximately 30 kilometers south of Guatemala City, remains one of the most active volcanoes in Central America.