Guatemala issues orange alert as Fuego volcano erupts

Guatemala has declared a nationwide orange alert, its second-highest emergency level, following a major eruption of the Fuego volcano that intensified throughout Monday, August 3, 2026. The eruption prompted immediate evacuations of villages near the volcano and raised fears of escalating danger as officials warned the volcano was entering a more explosive phase.

The eruption began on Monday morning and grew significantly more intense by nightfall, sending lava flows down the slopes and spewing ash plumes more than six kilometers into the atmosphere. The National Coordination for Disaster Reduction, known as Conred, announced the orange alert and began evacuating residents from two villages located near the base of the volcano, approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City. In a video message, Conred spokesperson Valeria Urizar urged residents to prioritize their safety, stating that if an evacuation is ordered or conditions pose a risk, they should follow the principle of self-evacuation.

The country's Institute of Volcanology warned that Fuego was moving toward a more explosive phase, with hot volcanic debris and pyroclastic material posing a significant threat to...