Brussels, Aug. 16 (SANA)Belgian authorities evacuated residents from parts of two eastern villages as a majorwildfireburned more than 2,700 hectares, with firefighters, water-dropping aircraft and helicopters battling to bring the blaze under control.

The fire had scorched more than 2,700 hectares by late Saturday, up sharply from about 80 hectares on Friday, AFP reported, citing local authorities.

Residents in parts of Sourbrodt and Bütgenbach were ordered to evacuate, while authorities opened an emergency shelter in a neighboring municipality. Other residents were advised to remain indoors and keep doors and windows closed.

“The flames could reach homes, but we are deploying all available resources to protect them,” Nicolas Yerno, spokesperson for regional authorities inWallonia, said.

Yerno said the wildfire remained out of control.

The blaze is among the largest wildfires inBelgium’smodern history and comes as several parts of Europe battle fires that have burned thousands of hectares and forced thousands of people from their homes amid persistent summer heat and dry conditions.