• Guatemala issued an orange alert after Fuego volcano erupted, prompting major evacuations.
• About 1,700 residents remain in shelters as officials warn of potential mudflows.
• Fuego, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," poses significant risks with regular eruptions.
• The government has closed schools and roads in affected areas as a precaution.
• Authorities raised the alert to red for three villages, impacting approximately 29,000 people.

On Monday, Guatemala declared a nationwide orange alert following a significant eruption of the Fuego volcano, one of Central America's most active volcanoes, which stands near the capital, Guatemala City. The country’s disaster reduction and relief agency, Conred, initiated the evacuation of two nearby villages as lava and ash eruptions posed serious threats to residents. Fuego's recent eruption sent plumes of ash rising approximately six kilometers into the air, prompting authorities to advise against venturing into danger zones, according to indiatimes and Al Jazeera.

As the eruption intensified, approximately 1,700 people were forced into shelters. The situation remains critical due to forecasts of rain, which could exacerbate the risk of mudflows from the volcano, stretching up to seven kilometers long. Conred temporarily raised the alert level to red for three municipalities, warning that ashfall has affected around 29,000 individuals in the vicinity. Authorities have also closed schools and disrupted traffic on major highways due to the threat of volcanic materials, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

In recent years, the Fuego volcano has prompted mass evacuations due to its frequent eruptions. A significant eruption in June 2018 led to over 200 fatalities when lava flows devastated surrounding communities. Fuego's activity underscores Guatemala's precarious geological positioning on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," which is known for intense volcanic and seismic activity. Similar events in 2023 resulted in the evacuation of over 1,200 residents, indicating ongoing risks associated with the volcano, according to indiatimes, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.