The Fuego volcano in Guatemala has erupted, sending lava and ash into the air and triggering the evacuation of at least two villages. The eruption, which began Monday, has led authorities to issue a nationwide orange alert, the second highest level.
Pyroclastic currents, described as rivers of gas, volcanic ash, and rock fragments, have been observed flowing down the volcano's southeastern slope. Guatemala's disaster management agency, Conred, warned residents to prepare for potential further pyroclastic flows and ash clouds, advising them to keep windows and doors closed. School lessons near the volcano have been suspended.
Fuego, one of the most active volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere, is located approximately 10 miles west of Antigua, a city renowned for its colonial-era architecture and a popular tourist destination. The volcano itself is also a draw for hikers.
Authorities have cautioned both visitors and locals against approaching or remaining in areas identified as at risk, particularly on the volcano's slopes. The potential for dangerous flows and ashfall remains a significant concern, following a deadly eruption in 2018 that killed over 200 people, many of whom were caught in pyroclastic flows that surged down the Las Lajas ravine.