Aided by more accurate GPS measuring, fire officials are now estimating the sprawling Tyaughton Lake wildfire has consumed 8,000 hectares of forest in British Columbia.
B.C. wildfire services charted the blaze using satellite technology Wednesday, revealing that previous reports had underestimated the fire burning west of Lillooet - by roughly 1,500 hectares.
Battling the blaze are 230 firefighters, 15 helicopters and 50 pieces of heavy equipment, but how much of the steadily-growing blaze is contained is not yet known.
Lillooet Fire Information Officer Mary Ann Leach said Tuesday that fire guards have been constructed on the southeast side of fire that should protect homes in the area -- with some exceptions.
"The tough area that we're going to be challenged on is the area around Liza Lake," Leach said. "It's going to be harder to construct fire guards because of the steep terrain in there."
Sprinkler systems have also been set up to protect homes located near Liza, Marshall and Carol Lakes, as well as the Tyaughton Lake and Gun Creek areas. So far, no homes have been lost to the massive blaze.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for Marshall Lake, Liza Lake, Carole Lake, Mud Creek, Tyaughton Lake and Gun Creek Road. Evacuation alerts remain in Gun Lake, Gold Bridge and Bralorne.
It is believed the fire was started on May 29 by a careless camper.
