In brief
Fuego, one of the Western Hemisphere’s most active volcanoes, began spewing lava and ash on Monday, forcing the evacuation of villages and prompting a nationwide orange alert. The government agency monitoring the volcano warned locals to stay alert for further pyroclastic flows and ash clouds, and advised residents to keep windows and doors closed and cancel nearby classes. Fuego sits just 16 km west of Antigua, a major tourist hub, making its activity a concern for visitors and communities. Despite the intense eruption, authorities are closely monitoring the volcano, with alerts and evacuation efforts remaining in place.
Fuego volcano, one of the most active in the Western Hemisphere, erupted on Monday, spewing lava and ash high into the sky.
Conred, Guatemala’s disaster‑management agency, issued a nationwide orange alert – the second‑highest level – urging residents to stay alert to further pyroclastic flows and ash clouds.
Pyroclastic currents, or rivers of gas and ash, continued to move down the volcano’s southeast slope into Tuesday, while officials advised people to keep doors and windows shut and cancel nearby classes.
Fuego lies 16 km west of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site popular with tourists, meaning the eruption’s reach affects both locals and visitors.
The volcano claimed more than 200 lives in its 2018 eruption when deadly pyroclastic flows overwhelmed the Las Lajas ravine.
Authorities are monitoring levels closely, with the evacuation of two villages confirmed and the orange alert remaining in place.
