Guatemala's Fuego volcano began an eruption on Monday, leading officials to issue a nationwide orange alert. The activity prompted the evacuation of at least two villages situated on the mountain slopes as lava and ash continue to spew into the air. This volcano remains among the most active in the Western Hemisphere.
Government disaster management agency Conred is monitoring the situation, noting pyroclastic currents flowing down the south-eastern slope. These dangerous mixtures of gas, ash, and rock fragments represent a significant hazard to anyone in the vicinity. Authorities have instructed residents to keep doors and windows closed and have suspended school classes in the area.
Fuego sits 16 kilometers west of Antigua, a historic city known for its colonial architecture and status as a tourist destination. Because of the immediate risks, officials have ordered visitors and residents to stay away from the mountain slopes. The area is prone to fast-moving flows that present life-threatening conditions.
The current situation recalls the 2018 eruption of Fuego, which resulted in more than 200 fatalities after pyroclastic flows moved through the Las Lajas ravine. Monitoring remains high as teams track the movement of volcanic materials. Current warnings emphasize the threat of additional ash clouds and further flows.