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The Bald Range wildfire burning west of Summerland is expected to remain active overnight, after BC Wildfire Service crews were challenged by difficult terrain and stubborn fire behaviour throughout the day. In a Wednesday evening update, the BC Wildfire Service said persistent hot and dry conditions increased fire activity on Wednesday and suppression efforts were challenged on the south and west flanks. With northwesterly winds gusting up to 30 km/h and low humidity in the forecast, BCWS said the 22,693-hectare wildfire is expected to stay active overnight. Crews will continue to work overnight in the Bald Range area, along the Princeton-Summerland Road corridor, and on the southwestern flank of the fire. …Summerland CAO Graham Statt said earlier Wednesday 450 more properties will be downgraded from an evacuation order to an alert sometime on Thursday, Aug. 19.

Additional coverage:

Kelowna Capital News, by Jordy Cunningham: Expect smoke, flame overnight as crews remain on scene of Summerland wildfire and Difficult terrain, ‘stubborn fire behaviour’ causing challenges at Bald Range blaze near Summerland