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The west flank of the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, B.C., is shown in this Aug. 19 handout image provided by the BC Wildfire Service.BC Wildfire Service/via The Canadian Press
The wildfire that forced thousands to flee their homes in British Columbia’s South Okanagan region earlier this month is now classified as being held.
The BC Wildfire Service says the blaze is expected to remain within its current perimeter of about 252 square kilometres west of Summerland.
It’s also no longer classified as a wildfire-of-note, leaving two such fires in the province – one near Boston Bar and another near Clinton.
The blaze near Summerland has been among the most destructive in B.C. this season, destroying or damaging about 150 structures in the area and causing 20,000 people to flee their homes.
One woman died trying to get out.
Meanwhile, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen says smoke is visible in the Osoyoos area due to a wildfire across the U.S. border in Washington state, but there’s no immediate threat to Canadian communities.
Across B.C., the number of active wildfires has risen to 210, with about 40 started in the last 24 hours. Roughly 30 are declared out.
About 95 fires continue to burn out of control, as crews deal with new ignitions sparked by widespread lightning strikes last weekend.