![\"lava-flows-and-clouds-of-ash-out-of-the-crater-of-the-fuego-volcano-as-seen-from-san-juan-alotenango-guatemala-tuesday-aug-4-2026-ap-photomoises-castillo\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1785902773_586_.jpeg\")
\n Lava flows and clouds of ash pictured coming out of the crater of the Fuego Volcano. Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE living on the slopes of Guatemala\u2019s Fuego volcano have been evacuated after a major eruption sent lava flowing down its slopes and ash billowing into the sky.<\/p>\n
Guatemalan authorities raised the alert level today from orange to red, the highest danger warning, for the departments of Sacatep\u00e9quez, Chimaltenango and Escuintla as the eruption intensified.<\/p>\n
Central America\u2019s most active volcano began erupting on Monday morning, with conditions worsening overnight.<\/p>\n
Rivers of lava streamed down the 3,763-metre volcano located less than 100 kilometres from Guatemala City, while ash rose some six kilometres into the red sky.<\/p>\n
\n Lava flows and clouds of ash pictured coming out of the crater of the Fuego Volcano. Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n
\u201cSince early morning it was active. That night, the alarm was raised that we needed to evacuate,\u201d local resident Alejandro Garcia (68) told AFP.<\/p>\n
Villagers left of their own accord out of fear, Garcia said, describing terrifying scenes of lava tumbling down the mountainside.<\/p>\n
Firefighters said they transported at least 350 residents of the El Porvenir and Las Lajitas villages to the eastward San Juan Alotenango municipality.<\/p>\n
Evacuees are staying in a community hall where makeshift beds have been set up, while the number of people taken to other nearby towns remains unknown.<\/p>\n
![\"lava-flows-out-of-the-crater-of-the-fuego-volcano-as-seen-from-san-juan-alotenango-guatemala-tuesday-aug-4-2026-ap-photomoises-castillo\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1785902774_485_.jpeg\")
\n Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there were any chance of moving to a different house, it would be better, because you\u2019re always afraid since the volcano doesn\u2019t give any warning,\u201d Lidia Ortiz (40) told AFP at the shelter.<\/p>\n
Escuintla to the south was sheltering dozens more families, including children, local authorities reported.\n<\/p>\n
\u2018Too much\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cIf an evacuation is ordered or conditions pose a risk to your life, follow the principle of self-evacuation,\u201d Conred spokesperson Valeria Urizar said in a video posted on social media.<\/p>\n
The country\u2019s Institute of Volcanology warned of hot volcanic debris flows down Fuego\u2019s slopes, with communities on the western and southern flanks at the greatest risk.<\/p>\n
![\"families-evacuated-from-areas-surrounding-the-fuego-volcano-arrive-at-a-temporary-shelter-in-san-juan-alotenango-guatemala-tuesday-aug-4-2026-ap-photomoises-castillo\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1785902774_570_.jpeg\")
\n Residents pictured evacuating in San Juan Alotenango. Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n
Alamy Stock Photo\n<\/p>\n
Fuego had been erupting for 23 hours straight by Tuesday morning, it said, although the intensity was easing slightly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve already gotten used to having the volcano constantly active, but this time it was really too much,\u201d 50-year-old resident Sonia Vasquez told AFP.<\/p>\n
Guatemalan authorities urged \u201cprecautions with air traffic,\u201d but there has so far been no impact on the capital\u2019s international airport.<\/p>\n
The education ministry ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes in communities within two municipalities near the volcano.<\/p>\n
NEW: Powerful eruption of Fuego volcano recorded by hikers \ud83c\udf0b pic.twitter.com\/BAZ06OIRXY<\/a><\/p>\n