A wildfire in eastern Belgium has burned over 27 square kilometers. It is being called Belgium's largest wildfire in modern history.

The fire is burning in the High Fens nature reserve. That reserve is near Baelen in eastern Belgium.

Hundreds of villagers near the German border were forced to evacuate. More than 250 emergency workers are fighting the fire.

Firefighting helicopters and European Union reinforcements are also helping. Local farmers are helping contain the blaze too.

Shifting winds and extreme heat are making the effort harder. Authorities in nearby Monschau, Germany gave a warning.

They said flames were about 3 kilometers from the border. They put local firefighters on alert.

The High Fens is a large nature reserve. Its size is adding to the difficulty of stopping the fire.