Dramatic photos show lava spewing from Fuego volcano in Guatemala

On Monday, the Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupted once more, prompting authorities to issue evacuations in nearby communities. The eruption began in the early hours of the day and escalated by the evening. Lava and massive clouds of ash were captured in photographs, soaring nearly four miles into the sky. Live footage on Tuesday revealed thick clouds of gas and ash enveloping the volcano.

On Monday, Guatemala's disaster coordination agency, CONRED, declared a nationwide orange alert. The alert level was just one step below the maximum, which signals the most critical emergency. Authorities initiated the evacuation of two villages located near the volcano. The capital, Guatemala City, is situated 22 miles away from the volcano. Footage released by emergency services depicted the eruption turning clouds red as lava cascaded down the slopes of the 12,346-foot volcano.

CONRED's statement on Tuesday warned that these flows comprise a combination of volcanic gases, ash, rocks, and extreme heat, which travel swiftly down the volcano's slopes. Officials also cautioned of ashfall on surrounding areas. The Institute of Volcanology in the country issued a warning that Fuego was "moving towards a more explosive phase," highlighting the risk of hot volcanic debris flows down the volcano's slopes. Communities on the western and southern flanks were deemed most vulnerable.

Guatemala, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Fuego ranks among Central America's most active volcanoes, triggering multiple mass evacuations in recent years. In the previous year, over 500 people were evacuated after Fuego released gas and ash. Residents were relocated to shelters from communities near the crater.

In 2023, another eruption prompted the evacuation of approximately 1,200 people. The volcanic eruption in 2018 resulted in the death of 215 individuals and left a similar number missing when rivers of lava poured down the volcano's slopes, annihilating a neighboring village.