- Fuego alert level: loading…
- Pacaya alert level: —
- Santiaguito alert level: —
- Ash advisory (Washington VAAC, Fuego): —
- Latest CONRED bulletin: —
Sources: INSIVUMEH · Washington VAAC · CONRED · updated: —
If you searched “guatemala volcano eruption today”, here is the honest answer up front: Volcán de Fuego is erupting today — and it has been erupting continuously since 2002. Explosions every 15-90 minutes are its normal state, not a news event. What matters is whether today’s activity is routine or a paroxysm (a strong eruptive phase) — and that’s what the live box above tells you, straight from INSIVUMEH, the Washington VAAC and CONRED.
Normal vs. Dangerous
| Behavior | Normal? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Explosions every 15-90 min, rumbling, night glow | ✅ Yes — baseline since 2002 | Nothing. It’s the show you watch from Antigua and Acatenango |
| Fine ashfall in nearby villages | ✅ Frequent | Cover water and food, sweep roofs when it accumulates |
| Paroxysm: lava fountains, 5-7 km ash column, pyroclastic flows | ⚠️ 2-10 times a year | Follow INSIVUMEH’s BEFGO bulletins and CONRED; evacuate only if instructed |
| Lahars (mudflows) in the ravines when it rains | ⚠️ Near-daily in rainy season | NEVER cross a Fuego ravine during or right after rain |
The key distinction: “Fuego is erupting” is the permanent condition. The news is a paroxysm — that’s what the special bulletins and the live box above are for.
The three active volcanoes at a glance
- Fuego (3,763 m, ~18 km from Antigua): Guatemala’s most active volcano and one of the most active in the Americas. Continuous Strombolian eruption since 2002; 2-10 paroxysms per year.
- Pacaya (2,552 m, ~30 km from Guatemala City): active periods with lava flows and ash; the “easy” volcano hike when calm — access is managed by the national park according to activity.
- Santiaguito (~2,500 m, near Quetzaltenango): a lava-dome complex growing in the 1902 crater of Santa María, active since 1922, with regular dome collapses and ash explosions.
Live levels for all three are in the box above; deeper data, maps and the activity timeline live on the volcanoes hub.
The precedent: June 3, 2018
The June 3, 2018 paroxysm sent pyroclastic flows down the Las Lajas ravine in minutes and buried San Miguel Los Lotes: more than 400 dead and missing, Guatemala’s worst volcanic tragedy since 1929. The lessons changed the monitoring: BEFGO bulletins now escalate faster, CONRED runs evacuation drills in flank communities, and ground zero remains uninhabited. It is also why “elevated activity” notices are taken seriously even though ~95% of paroxysms end without damage.
What today’s activity means for you
- In Antigua (18 km): occasional fine ash and spectacular views. No direct flow risk. Air quality dips slightly during paroxysms — see weather and air quality.
- Acatenango overnight hike: tour operators suspend departures during strong paroxysms — if your date coincides with an active BEFGO, the operator makes that call; don’t argue with it. Route and prep: hiking Guatemala’s volcanoes.
- Flights at La Aurora: temporary closures are possible when wind pushes ash toward the capital during a paroxysm. Closures usually last hours. Confirm with your airline.
- RN-14 (Antigua–Escuintla road): cut by lahars at the Las Lajas bridge regularly in rainy season. Alternate: CA-9 via Palín.
- Flank communities (Escuintla, Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango): follow CONRED instructions and local drills; know your evacuation route.
Official monitoring
- INSIVUMEH — daily volcanological bulletin + special BEFGO bulletins
- CONRED — alerts, evacuations and guidance (emergency line 1566)
- Washington VAAC — aviation ash advisories
- Volcanoes hub — all 3 active volcanoes with live data and timelines
- Fuego eruption safety explainer — the deeper visitor-safety guide
- En español: Volcán de Fuego hoy
This page is informational. In a volcanic emergency, follow CONRED instructions (line 1566).
