Guatemala declares orange alert following Fuego volcano eruption

On Monday, August 3, 2026, authorities in Guatemala issued a nationwide orange alert due to a powerful eruption of the Fuego volcano. Located 35 kilometers southwest of the capital, the 3,763-meter-tall volcano—considered the most active in Central America—began erupting on Monday morning, with intensity increasing significantly overnight. The eruption produced pyroclastic flows toward the western side and sent ash plumes reaching up to 5,000 meters above sea level.

In response to the escalating danger, the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) initiated the evacuation of two nearby settlements. The government has suspended school classes in the affected areas and closed a major road connecting the southern region to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Antigua. Authorities remain in a state of high readiness, monitoring seismic activity and ash dispersion to assess further risks. While Fuego has a history of major eruptions requiring mass evacuations, officials are now focused on managing the current volcanic activity to ensure public safety.