Guatemala Issues "Danger" Alert After New Fuego Volcano Eruption

Guatemalan authorities issued a national "danger" alert, the step before a full emergency, following a powerful eruption of the Fuego volcano. The volcano, located about 35 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City, is Central America's most active. The eruption, which began Monday morning, intensified overnight, spewing lava, gas, and ash up to 6,000 meters into the atmosphere.

The state-run National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) announced the orange alert via X, formerly Twitter. The agency initiated evacuations in two villages near the volcano Monday night. Conred also issued safety recommendations for residents, urging them to avoid dangerous ravines, practice self-evacuation, prepare their emergency response plans, and have a 72-hour emergency kit ready.

Technical reports from the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology (Insivumeh) indicate the volcano remains highly active. It continues to emit gases, ash, and pyroclastic flows down the Seca and Ceniza ravines. Ash is spreading to nearby communities, necessitating constant monitoring by officials.

Strategic intervention teams have been deployed across the affected territory, and the area is under continuous surveillance. In Antigua Guatemala, municipal firefighters are assisting families from the El Porvenir village in evacuating to a Conred-shelter. As a precautionary measure, National Route 14 was closed Monday night due to pyroclastic material descending from the volcano.