Fuego Volcano Eruption Triggers Mass Evacuations in Guatemala

On the morning of August 3, 2026, Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego entered an explosive phase, producing pyroclastic density currents that traveled 5–7 km down the Seca ravine. By evening, lava fountains rose 200–300 m and ash plumes reached 5,000–6,000 m. Activity continued into August 4, prompting CONRED to declare red alerts in Sacatepéquez, Escuintla and Chimaltenango and to order evacuations of villages on the volcano’s slopes.

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Fuego is Central America’s most active volcano. Its deadliest recent eruption on June 3, 2018 killed hundreds and affected up to 1.7 million people. Smaller eruptions in 2023, 2025 and March 2026 also forced evacuations, underscoring the ongoing threat to nearby communities and the tourism hub of Antigua.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

• Evacuated residents: reports range from 659 people in eight villages to 1,699 in at least 18 communities.

New York Post

• Shelter locations: temporary shelters were set up in San Juan Alotenango and Escuintla.

Associated Press

• Ashfall impact: about 29,000 people experienced ash deposition; ash columns rose up to six kilometres.

The Watchers

• Lahars: mudflows up to 7 km long were observed, with rain forecast to increase risk.

Al Jazeera (website)

• Infrastructure: National Route 14 was closed; classes were suspended in the three red-alert municipalities; the main international airport remained operational.

Fuego Volcano Bans All Hikes Near Antigua as Eruption Forces 1,700 Evacuations

Edwin Rojas, director of INSIVUMEH, said “activity at the Fuego volcano continues in a critical explosive phase.” CONRED’s executive secretary Claudinne Ogaldes noted that evacuation orders are recommendations, not mandatory mandates, and that officials are visiting homes to encourage compliance. Defense Minister Henry Saenz pledged security forces to patrol evacuated areas and prevent looting. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued an advisory about ash affecting airspace west of the volcano.

CNN

Sources differ on the exact number of evacuees: CNN cites 1,699, the NY Post reports 659, and other outlets round the figure to 1,700. No deaths or structural damage have been confirmed, leaving uncertainty about the eruption’s full impact on remote settlements.

CNN

• “Activity at the Fuego volcano continues in a critical explosive phase,” — Edwin Rojas, INSIVUMEH

CNN

• “Unfortunately, the Conred law is not coercive. It’s not like in other countries where they say, ‘We must evacuate’ and everyone evacuates. Here, it’s a recommendation, and that’s why we’re visiting house by house to encourage families to evacuate,” — Claudinne Ogaldes, CONRED

CNN

CONRED warned that the next 72 hours are critical, as forecast rain could trigger additional lahars. Authorities plan to keep red alerts in place for the three municipalities and maintain shelter operations until conditions improve. Continuous monitoring by INSIVUMEH will inform any further escalation of the alert level.

Fuego Volcano Bans All Hikes Near Antigua as Eruption Forces 1,700 Evacuations