Volcán de Fuego at a glance
Fuego (Spanish for fire) erupts often, with ash, explosions and, in larger phases, pyroclastic flows. Next to it stands Acatenango, which is where most visitors go to look at it. This page is an independent guide. It is not run by CONRED, INSIVUMEH or any park, and it cannot tell you what the volcano is doing today.
The sections below separate what happened on given dates from what you can plan around. A calm week says little about the next one. Read the dated reports, then check the current bulletin from INSIVUMEH and the alerts from CONRED before you book or travel.
Recent events with dates
Each line is a report from the date shown, not today's status.
| Date | What was reported | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 3 June 2018 | Major eruption, followed by long recovery and aid work | CONRED |
| 6 June 2025 | Pyroclastic flows up to 7 km (4.3 mi) and lahars after rain. Shelters housed 207, 84, 111 and 176 people in the places named | CONRED |
| 3 August 2026 | Pyroclastic flows to the west and an ash column to 5,000 m (16,400 ft) above sea level | INSIVUMEH |
| 4 August 2026 | Orange alert nationally and red alert in Escuintla, Sacatepéquez and Chimaltenango. Police blocked tourist climbs at Acatenango | Government, CONRED |
| 5 August 2026 | Back to normal parameters after 50 hours, with 4 to 6 weak to moderate explosions per hour and a continuing risk of lahars and ash | CONRED |
| 1 October 2026 | Ash columns at 4,200 to 4,500 m (13,800 to 14,800 ft) above sea level, drifting about 35 km (22 mi) southeast. People were told not to stay on the Meseta because of ballistic material | CONRED |
The height of an ash column is given above sea level, not above the crater. The warning colors apply to the regions and institutions named in each report. They are not a permanent traffic light for the summit.
Volcano tours near Antigua
Acatenango, Pacaya and other volcano trips from Antigua, with live prices and availability.
Fuego volcano hike: what is realistic
Be careful with the idea of a Fuego hike. Tour companies advertise trekking to Fuego, Acatenango and Pacaya. That proves a commercial offer, not an approval by the authorities for a specific route on Fuego itself. In June 2025 CONRED asked people to respect the climbing ban for Fuego and Acatenango during that event. In August 2026 police stopped climbs at Acatenango. On 1 October 2026 CONRED warned against staying on the Meseta.
The usual way to see Fuego is from the neighboring Acatenango on an overnight trek, where the view from the summit at sunrise is the draw. Even that depends on the day. Check the status with your operator and with the reports above, and be ready to cancel.
Safety rules for volcano trips
Practical points, based on the reports above and on the German Foreign Office advice of 19 October 2026.
Check before every trip
Look at the daily INSIVUMEH bulletin and the latest CONRED notices on the morning you plan to go, not only when you book. Lahars after rain and ash falls are separate dangers from the explosions.
Use licensed guides
The German Foreign Office recommends volcano excursions only with police or licensed guides. Ask who your guide is and what the cancellation rule is if access closes.
Respect closures
A closed entrance or a police post is not negotiable. The reports above show that access can change within a day.
Stay out of the danger zones
Do not stay on the Meseta or in areas where guides or officials tell you to leave. Flying rock from an explosion can reach places that look far from the crater.
Related pages
Plan around the volcano and the rest of the region.
Volcán de Fuego: frequently asked questions
Is Volcán de Fuego active right now?
The volcano is active, with frequent explosions. On 5 August 2026 CONRED reported 4 to 6 weak to moderate explosions per hour. No page can give you today's status. Check the current INSIVUMEH bulletin and CONRED notices.
Can you climb Volcán de Fuego?
Tour companies advertise treks to Fuego, but there is no general approval for a specific route on it, and bans have applied during eruptions. The more common plan is to watch Fuego from Acatenango. Even those climbs were stopped by police on 4 August 2026.
Can you see Fuego from Antigua?
Most visitors go to Acatenango for a close view. The Santa Catalina Arch frames the Volcán de Agua, not Fuego or Acatenango, so do not expect it in that classic photo.
What happened in June 2025?
CONRED documented pyroclastic flows up to 7 km on 6 June 2025 and lahars after rain. People were housed in shelters, with 207, 84, 111 and 176 people named in four of them. These numbers are not a total evacuation count.
What should I do if there is an eruption during my stay?
Follow the instructions of CONRED and local authorities, keep clear of ash and avoid river channels because of lahars. Ask your accommodation for the current guidance, and keep your documents and a mask handy.