Guatemala evacuates hundreds after Fuego volcano eruption

Guatemala City – 04/08/2026: Following the eruption of the Fuego volcano, Guatemala has placed its civil protection system on heightened alert and evacuated hundreds of people from endangered areas. The eruption began on Monday morning, August 3, and intensified overnight. Gas and ash clouds rose above the volcano, while lava and pyroclastic flows descended its slopes.

According to the disaster management agency CONRED, 659 residents from eight localities were taken to emergency shelters. The evacuees include around 250 people from El Porvenir and the Las Lajitas settlement. The agency expects that about ten additional communities could be evacuated as a precaution on Tuesday, August 4.

Ashfall threatens towns and villages near the volcano. National Highway 14, an important transport link in the region, has been closed. The Ministry of Education suspended classes in affected areas. The measure is intended to prevent residents, travelers and schoolchildren from entering areas threatened by ash, rocks or rapidly flowing masses of hot material.

Fuego is located about 35 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City and is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes. Geological services and disaster protection officials closely monitor its recurring eruptions. The evacuations now ordered mark a more serious situation than the frequent phases of isolated explosions. The response is being coordinated beyond the immediately adjacent communities.

For the affected families, the evacuation initially means staying in municipal shelters near the danger zone. There, evacuees are registered and provided with assistance; if necessary, they are to be relocated further. Authorities are continuously assessing whether ashfall, lava or pyroclastic flows threaten additional settlements. When people can return will depend on monitoring data and further volcanic activity.

Particular attention is being paid to the ravines around the volcano. Volcanic material and water can collect in them and move downhill as dangerous debris flows. Ash can also reduce visibility on roads, irritate airways and place strain on roofs. Road closures and school suspensions are therefore also intended to limit risks extending beyond the immediate eruption zones.

The protective measures are being taken in the shadow of the June 2018 disaster. At the time, hundreds of people died, according to authorities, and one village was destroyed. As of Tuesday, no deaths or injuries had been confirmed in the current eruption. CONRED and volcanological specialists continue to monitor the ash clouds and flows on the slopes; National Highway 14 remains closed.