Valencian emergeny services have reported that the forest fire in Cocentaina in the Sierra de Mariola has razed an area measuring 498.85 hectares, most of it shrub and woodland, but inlcuding some farmland.

The wildfire, that has reached the edges of the towns of Cocentaina and Alcoy, has now been brought under control and there are no active flames, although it has not been declared officially under control.

Thirteen aircraft and seven land-based crews comprising firefighters and members of the military, were involved in putting out the fire and many remain in the area, cooling the land and making sure the flames do not re-ignite.

Their principal aim is to ensure there are no new outbreaks of the fire, like the one in the early hours of this morning that led to the evacuation of 20 handicapped people from an occupational care centre.

The wildfire started last Thursday and has affected an area of the Sierra de Mariola considered to be of great ecological value.