The fire near Ashcroft, which has forced the evacuation of Cache Creek, has grown to more than 10,300 hectares, making it one of the largest of the 219 currently burning in B.C.

It was previously estimated to be 7,300 hectares, but a reduction in smoke in the area has allowed the BC Wildfire Service to accurately map the fire's boundary.

Fire information officer Ellie Dupont is working out of the elementary school in Cache Creek. She says the area was hit by heavy winds Monday, contributing to the growth of the blaze on the eastern flank.

“It was so windy that it blew my coffee right off the picnic table,” Dupont said.

The growth prompted an expanded evacuation alert for 57 additional properties in the area by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

The only other fire that rivals it in size is the Hanceville fire, west of Williams Lake, which is estimated at 10,000 hectares.

All of Williams Lake is on an evacuation alert, as several fires surround the town.

There are 120 BC Wildfire Service firefighters battling the Cache Creek blaze, along with eight helicopters providing air support.

Dupont said they are expecting help from a firefighting crew from out of the province today.

The Boston Flats area between Ashcroft and Cache Creek has been hit hardest by the blaze. A trailer park was almost completely destroyed by fire.

Meanwhile the fight continues near 100 Mile House, where a 5,000 hectare fire has forced the evacuation of the entire town.

Calmer winds in the area allowed firefighters to establish guards in key spots Monday, and the fire was prevented from jumping east across Highway 97.

The fire has not yet reached 100 Mile House, but homes have been lost to the fire.

Further south, the fire north of Princeton has grown to 2,700 hectares as of Tuesday morning.

- with files from Alanna Kelly