The municipal authority of Monschau, a German town on the border with Belgium, has advised residents to evacuate the town due to a massive wildfire burning in a Belgian forest and moving towards Germany.
Fire front approaching the border
According to a statement from the Monschau municipal authority, the fire front is currently 1.5 kilometres from the German border and 1.8 kilometres from the nearest inhabited area.
Largest wildfire in Belgian history
Firefighting forces worked through the night in an effort to control what has become the largest forest fire in Belgium's history, which has been burning since Friday midday in the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve in western Belgium and is advancing towards Germany. Local authorities have said the fire has destroyed an area of 30,000 stremmata.
Smoke risk and evacuation advice
"Even if the flames do not reach German territory," the Monschau municipal authority warned in its statement, "significant atmospheric pollution from the smoke" is expected. The town, which has around 12,000 residents, added: "Consequently, a recommendation has been issued to residents of the areas close to the border to evacuate these areas."
Belgian evacuations already under way
Belgian authorities have already ordered the evacuation of the town of Küchelscheid, located a 10-minute drive from Monschau.
