On March 9, 2025, Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted, leading to the evacuation of nearly 900 residents. The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction confirmed that evacuees were relocated to temporary shelters. An Orange Alert was declared due to the eruption’s danger, prompting humanitarian aid mobilization and the closing of key transportation routes. Continuous volcanic activity poses ongoing risks to the surrounding areas.
On March 9, 2025, Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted, leading to an emergency response and the evacuation of approximately 900 residents from the El Porvenir community in Alotenango. This decision was confirmed by the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) on March 10, as evacuees were relocated to temporary accommodations at the Alotenango municipal hall.
The eruption commenced around 03:00 UTC on March 9 after 49 days of inactivity. The National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) reported that the effusive eruption produced incandescent lava fountains reaching 500 meters (1,640 feet) above the crater, alongside dense gas and ash columns extending to 6 kilometers (19,685 feet) above sea level, dispersing up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest and west.
Pyroclastic flows, composed of hot gases, ash, and debris, surged down nearby ravines during the eruption. Residents several kilometers away reported loud explosion sounds reminiscent of a train engine. An Orange Alert was established on March 9 due to heightened volcanic activity, signifying a serious threat and prompting the activation of emergency protocols across the region.
Guatemala employs a four-tier alert system, with the Orange Alert representing high danger, leading to evacuation procedures and response team deployments. Upon this alert, CONRED mobilized humanitarian support for evacuees, while local leaders coordinated emergency plans. National Route 14, a vital highway connecting southern areas to Antigua, was closed due to eruption risks, and schools in affected municipalities were suspended.
Ashfall was noted in San Miguel Pochuta, causing concerns about respiratory hazards and agricultural ramifications. CONRED advised the community to adhere to official guidelines and avoid ravines, which face lahar risks, while encouraging the preparation of 72-hour emergency kits. The Guatemalan Volcanic Surveillance Observatory (OGVV) requested air traffic precautions, given the potential dispersal of ash by strong winds, leading to temporary tourist access restrictions to the Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes.
The probability of lahars is notably high due to heavy ash deposits and ongoing rainfall in certain ravines. Emergency services maintain a heightened alertness as the Fuego volcano continues to emit pyroclastic flows and ash columns reaching altitudes of 4.8 kilometers (15,748 feet) above sea level. Standing at 3,763 meters (12,346 feet), Fuego is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, with its most lethal eruption occurring on June 3, 2018, which resulted in the loss of 215 lives in San Miguel Los Lotes and Alotenango.
The eruption of Fuego volcano in Guatemala has prompted significant evacuation efforts, impacting approximately 900 residents and necessitating emergency responses due to high danger levels classified by an Orange Alert. With the first major volcanic activity after a period of dormancy, authorities have advised precautions against ashfall and the risk of lahars. Continuous monitoring and mobilization of resources remain critical as the volcano is among the most active in the region, exemplifying the inherent risks in volcanic zones.
Original Source: watchers.news
