Guatemala’s Fuego Volcano, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, erupted violently early this morning, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for approximately 30,000 people living in its shadow. The eruption, which began at around 4:00 AM local time, sent plumes of ash and smoke billowing into the sky, with lava flows creeping down the volcano’s slopes, threatening nearby communities.
Located just 60 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City, Fuego—meaning “fire” in Spanish—has a long history of destructive activity. The National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) reported that ash columns reached heights of 6,000 meters above sea level, drifting northeast and affecting air quality in surrounding areas. Local officials have declared a state of emergency in the departments of Sacatepéquez, Escuintla, and Chimaltenango, where most of the at-risk population resides.
Claudinne Ugalde, secretary of Guatemala’s disaster agency CONRED, addressed the nation in a press conference, stating, “We estimate that around 30,000 people are in immediate danger due to ashfall, potential pyroclastic flows, and lava. We are urging residents to evacuate immediately or self-evacuate to designated shelters.” So far, approximately 500 families have been relocated to temporary shelters set up in schools and community centers in safer zones.
The eruption has already disrupted daily life in the region. Authorities have closed several roads leading to the volcano due to falling ash and debris, and flights to and from La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City have been suspended indefinitely. Farmers in the area report damage to crops, with thick layers of ash blanketing fields of coffee and corn, staples of the local economy.
Eyewitnesses describe a harrowing scene. Juan Morales, a 42-year-old farmer from the village of El Porvenir, said, “We heard loud explosions before dawn, and then the sky turned black with ash. We grabbed what we could and left. It’s terrifying—memories of 2018 are still fresh.” The 2018 eruption of Fuego killed nearly 200 people and left hundreds missing, a tragedy that continues to haunt the region’s residents.
