Several families remain on evacuation alert, and many more ready to leave at a moment's notice, in a wildfire zone in Gold Bridge, B.C.

The fire between Tyaughton Lake and Gun Lakes is now believed to be 800 hectares in size -- about twice the size of Stanley Park -- according to an alert issued Wednesday by the province's Emergency Operations Centre.

The blaze broke out late Friday night.

Firefighters were given a much needed break Tuesday afternoon when the normally strong winds subsided, providing an opportunity to knock down any potential flare up areas.

"Essentially what we're doing is work that is going to ensure that radiant heat coming in on the structures is not going to ignite the structures or the embers that land on the structures don't have an opportunity to get going," Don Mortimer, BC Fire Commissioner, said.

In Pictures: Lillooet Wildfire

Six helicopters and 49 firefighters are working to control the blaze, a job made more difficult by the hot, dry weather expected all week.

Dry weather has seen the number of fires in the province jump dramatically -- from 280 in 2008 to 368 this year -- and Fire Information Officer Kim Steinbart says most of them are caused by people.

"We are asking the public to help prevent these person-caused fires," Steinbart said. "These fires are preventable."

An evacuation order remains in effect for properties west of Pearson Pond along Gun Creek Road and an evacuation alert is in effect for the surrounding areas of Tyaughton Lake, Gun Lake, Gold Bridge and Bralorne. Mortimer says an evacuation plan has been developed for the area and "will be implemented if needed."

Highway 40, the main route connecting Lillooet and Gold Bridge, remains open but vehicles require an escort because of a danger of burning logs on both sides of the roadway.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, along with the Ministry of Forests, Transportation and the RCMP, will begin a series of daily public information meetings in Gold Bridge Wednesday night to keep residents alerted of any major developments.

A 24-hour public information line is available at 1-866-417-4132, and road closure information is availble at 1-800-550-4997.

With files from The Canadian Press