Fuego Volcano Eruptions Prompt Evacuations in Guatemala, Activity Eases
WHO:
ABC News - Guatemalan authorities, National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED), Claudinne Ogaldes (executive secretary of CONRED).
WHAT:
ABC News - The eruption triggered red alerts, evacuations, a highway’s closure, and the suspension of classes in three departments.
KSL News - An orange alert was declared, warning of ashes spreading to nearby towns.
AP - Activity at the Fuego volcano is gradually decreasing after it began two days ago.
AP - Early Tuesday morning, the volcano spewed lava that reached a height of about 300 meters (984 feet).
AP - Live broadcasts of the volcano’s activity show periods of complete clarity interspersed with ash emissions.
AP - Some people who were evacuated between Monday and Tuesday returned voluntarily to their homes.
ABC News - Approximately 1,700 people have been evacuated from at least 18 communities on the slopes of the Fuego volcano.
KSL News - Evacuations were ordered for two villages, El Porvenir and Las Lajitas, affecting around 50 families or 250 people.
KSL News - The eruption increased explosiveness, with a fountain of lava reaching between 650 to 1,000 feet above the crater.
ABC News - No deaths or damage have been reported as a result of the current eruption.
KSL News - A major highway, National Route 14, was closed, and the Education Ministry suspended classes in nearby towns.
WHERE:
ABC News - The Fuego volcano is located between the departments of Escuintla, Chimaltenango, and Sacatepéquez in Guatemala, approximately 53 kilometers (33 miles) from Guatemala City.
WHEN:
ABC News - The eruption began on a Monday morning.
KSL News - The eruption started on a Monday morning and increased during the day.
WHY:
AP - CONRED urged the population to remain cautious because rainfall from a tropical wave from the east could trigger potentially deadly volcanic mudflows known as lahars.
ABC News - The evacuations were prompted by the eruptive activity of the Fuego volcano, which is one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes.
ABC News - CONRED warned that rainfall from a tropical wave could trigger potentially deadly volcanic mudflows known as lahars.
HOW:
KSL News - The Guatemalan Seismology, Vulcanology, Weather and Water Institute reported that a fountain of lava of between 650 to 1,000 feet has developed over the crater.
AP - CONRED recommended following the authorities’ instructions regarding preventive evacuation.
ABC News - Authorities urged the population to remain cautious and follow instructions regarding preventive evacuation.
KSL News - Live images showed clouds of gas and ash over the volcano, with lava and pyroclastic flows rolling down the slopes.
(UPDATED August 6, 2026 08:17 UTC)
A significant volcanic eruption in Guatemala has triggered red alerts, leading to evacuations, the closure of a highway, and the suspension of classes in three departments. An orange alert has also been declared, warning nearby towns of ashfall from the eruption. The Guatemalan Seismology, Vulcanology, Weather and Water Institute reports that a fountain of lava has developed over the crater, reaching heights between 650 to 1,000 feet.
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(UPDATED August 6, 2026 05:06 UTC)
Activity at the Fuego volcano is gradually decreasing after it erupted two days ago, with early reports indicating that lava reached heights of about 300 meters, or 984 feet. Live broadcasts have shown the volcano's activity alternating between clear periods and ash emissions, while some evacuated residents have chosen to return to their homes. However, CONRED is urging the public to stay cautious, as rainfall from a tropical wave could trigger dangerous volcanic mudflows known as lahars, and they recommend following authorities' instructions regarding preventive evacuations.
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(UPDATED August 5, 2026 20:36 UTC)
Guatemalan authorities have evacuated approximately 1,700 people from at least 18 communities on the slopes of the Fuego volcano due to increased eruptive activity, with lava fountains reaching between 650 to 1,000 feet above the crater. Evacuations were specifically ordered for the villages of El Porvenir and Las Lajitas, impacting around 50 families, while classes have been suspended in nearby towns and a major highway has been closed. Fortunately, no deaths or damage have been reported so far, but authorities are urging residents to remain cautious as rainfall from a tropical wave could trigger dangerous volcanic mudflows.