Foreign Office warns over Guatemala volcano Volcan de Fuego, which overlooks Antigua, the most visited tourist town in the country, spewed out a column of ash almost two miles high on Thursday morning, local time. Lava also poured out, travelling 600 metres down the mountain's slopes. Seventeen villages were evacuated in the area immediately surrounding the volcano, although a spokesman for the country's emergency services said the colonial town was not under threat. Cars, trucks and buses travelling along the nearby PanAmerican highway were reportedly covered in ash released from the 3,763-metre high volcano. Volcan de Fuego (literally the "volcano of fire) is known for its constant simmering, but rarely shows such heightened levels of activity. The Foreign Office advised against any attempt to climb the volcano, and told visitors to follow local advice. Guatamala's National Institute of Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology warned that flights through the area could be affected, although no cancellations have yet been reported. The volcano is 30 miles southwest of Guatemala City. The Central America country is known for its high density of volcanic activity, with several volcano-climbing trips available in the area. However, security precautions are advised as there have been attacks on tourists climbing to summits.