Wildfire in High Fens region on Belgian-German border

A wildfire has broken out on the High Fens, a conservation area straddling the border with Belgium, city authorities in the German city of Aachen reported on Tuesday, deported dpa.

The fire began on the Belgian side, with some 170 hectares burnt by Tuesday morning. No injuries have been reported.

A helicopter and tracked vehicles were being deployed to douse the fire in the inaccessible moorland region.

The authorities in Aachen said around 200 firefighters had been deployed to prevent the fire spreading to woodland. "Our task is secure a firebreak in the area between the grassland fire and the woodland, which is largely made up of spruce," local fire chief Thomas Sprank said.

A tarred road was assisting the effort, Sprank said. "We are wetting the ground along this road thoroughly to prevent propagation," he said.

Fire services from the surrounding German municipalities were assisting. Dutch firefighters were also deployed.

The affected regions in the High Fens have been closed to hikers and an appeal issued to walkers not to hinder the firefighting efforts.

The European Commission has noted that wildfires are starting earlier in the year, owing to climate change.

Almost 30 planes and helicopters have been deployed for this year's wildfire season, which began officially on Tuesday. This is twice the number available last year.

The measures are part of the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism, in which member states and other countries pool resources.