A red alert, the highest, has been issued in Guatemala and applies to three areas southwest of the capital, Guatemala City, according to the emergency services.
The Fuego volcano is Central America's most active volcano and its eruption began on Monday morning local time.
"You are always on guard because the volcano does not give any warning," says Lidia Ortiz, an evacuated resident.
The country's Institute of Volcanology is warning nearby communities on the western and southern sides of the volcano of the risks of "volcanic material."
