Guatemalan authorities have declared the eruption of the Fuego volcano over, allowing residents to return to their homes [2].
The end of the activity marks a reprieve for thousands of citizens living in the shadow of one of the region's most active peaks. This return follows a period of intense instability that displaced a significant portion of the local population.
The eruption began on Aug. 3, 2024 [1], and lasted for approximately 50 hours [2]. During this window, the volcano produced ash plumes that reached heights of up to six kilometers [1]. Other reports noted smoke swirling up to 940 meters above the crater [8].
Displacement figures varied across reports. Some sources said that hundreds of people were displaced [5], while others reported that more than 1,700 people were forced to evacuate [2]. The 3,763-meter stratovolcano has a history of lethal activity [1]. In June 2024, a previous eruption resulted in the deaths of 190 people [8].
"Activity at Guatemala's Fuego volcano gradually decreased Wednesday, allowing some evacuated residents to return home," the Associated Press said [3].
Despite the official declaration that the eruption has ended, authorities have not entirely dismissed the danger. Officials warned of the risk of lahars, volcanic mudflows, which can be triggered by heavy rain [3]. Residents are urged to remain cautious as they move back into their communities.
"The eruption of Guatemala's Fuego volcano ended Saturday, an official source said," Digital Journal staff said [4].
“The eruption of Guatemala's Fuego volcano ended Saturday, an official source said.”
The rapid cycle of eruption and recovery at Fuego volcano underscores the precarious nature of settlement in the Guatemalan highlands. While the immediate volcanic threat has subsided, the warning regarding lahars indicates that the landscape remains unstable. The disparity in evacuation numbers suggests a complex displacement pattern where many residents may move to informal shelters rather than official camps.
