MADRID: Spanish firefighters are still working to bring under control a forest blaze near Valencia that forced the evacuation of around 1,000 people.

Authorities said more than 200 firefighters with 65 vehicles were deployed Monday to the wildfire some 350 kilometres (220 miles) southeast of Madrid.

The temperature in the area was forecast to reach 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit), but officials were hoping a stiff wind that has fanned the flames would drop.

Emergency services said they almost brought the blaze under control on Sunday, but when water-dumping aircraft stood down after sunset the fire surged again and compelled the evacuations.