Fuego Volcano Spews More Ash and Mud as Guatemala Shelters 1,700 Who Fled Nearby Villages

Guatemala is on high alert after the Fuego volcano erupted, prompting the evacuation of villages and leaving about 1,700 people in shelters. The country's disaster agency, CONRED, stated that evacuations will continue until conditions improve. Officials have raised the alert level to red in Sacatepéquez, Escuintla, and Chimaltenango departments, where ashfall has impacted approximately 29,000 residents and led to school closures.

Authorities have identified the next 72 hours as critical, with mudflows extending up to 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from the volcano. Incoming rain is expected to heighten the risk of additional volcanic mudflows, though current mudflows have not reached any villages, and no structures have been reported damaged or at risk.

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the next 72 hours were critical

CONRED has advised residents in the affected municipalities to cover their water supplies and wear face masks to protect themselves from ash. The eruption began Monday morning, spewing clouds of gas and ash, with lava and pyroclastic flows descending the slopes. More mud and ash were emitted on Tuesday. Among the evacuated were around 250 people from El Porvenir and the hamlet of Las Lajitas. CONRED also warned of ash spreading to neighboring towns. A major highway, National Route 14, near the volcano is closed, and the Education Ministry has suspended classes in nearby communities.

This eruption follows previous significant events from Fuego, including a June 2018 eruption that killed hundreds and destroyed an entire village, and another last year that spurred preventive evacuations. The current situation underscores the persistent threat posed by one of Central America's most active volcanoes.

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recommended residents in the three municipalities cover their water deposits and use face masks as protection from ash