Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire erupted Thursday, prompting mass evacuations, road closures, and school suspensions across Chimaltenango and neighboring regions.
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| One of Central America’s most active volcanoes, Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire, erupted on June 6, forcing evacuations and triggering emergency responses. Image: Collected |
CHIMALTENANGO, Guatemala — June 6, 2025:
Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire (Volcán de Fuego) erupted on Thursday, unleashing plumes of ash and searing gas that forced authorities to evacuate nearly 600 people from communities in the surrounding region. The powerful eruption disrupted daily life across the departments of Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and Sacatepéquez, with more evacuations anticipated as volcanic activity continues.
Juan Laureano, spokesperson for Guatemala’s National Disaster Reduction Coordinator (CONRED), reported the evacuation of residents from five high-risk communities. “The situation remains fluid, and more people could be moved if the eruption intensifies,” he warned.
Twenty-eight-year-old Wilver Guerra from El Porvenir was among the first evacuees. Now staying at a shelter in Chimaltenango, he described the initial moments of the eruption: “At first it seemed normal, just some fire in the morning. But it’s better to evacuate early.”
In response to the eruption, officials also closed a major highway in the region and suspended classes in 39 schools as a preventive measure. Emergency crews remain on high alert as ashfall, lava flow, and seismic activity continue to pose threats.
Rising to 12,300 feet (3,763 meters), the Volcano of Fire lies approximately 33 miles (53 kilometers) southwest of Guatemala City. It is among the most active volcanoes in Central America and is under constant observation by national geophysical authorities. Its volatile nature has led to previous tragedies, most notably in 2018 when a sudden eruption killed 194 people and left 234 missing.
Thursday’s eruption renews fears of another disaster, prompting authorities to enforce evacuation protocols and deploy medical and emergency relief teams to reception centers across affected areas.
While no casualties have been reported so far, residents have been urged to remain alert, follow official guidance, and avoid returning to evacuation zones until given clearance. Ash clouds are expected to drift depending on wind patterns, potentially affecting a wider area in the days to come.
This eruption underscores the importance of sustained disaster preparedness in volcanic regions and the need for international support to bolster early warning systems and community resilience in Guatemala.