UPDATE: 4:45 p.m.

Weather on Tuesday afternoon has been favourable near the 44,000-hectare Crater Creek wildfire south of Keremeos.

BC Wildfire Service says smoky skies have continued to moderate temperatures through the day.

There is a risk of thunderstorms in the evening, they added.

TonightB次元官网网址檚 forecast in the area suggests maximum temperatures will sit between 17 and 21 C.

BCWS has not updated the fireB次元官网网址檚 growth since early Tuesday afternoon.

It continues to burn south of the border and crews have been working with officials from the U.S.

B次元官网网址淪moke is impeding our ability to utilize aircraft, but there may be opportunities later today as smoke clears and visibility improves,B次元官网网址� an update from the provincial centre reads.

There are currently 13 properties within the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen on evacuation order and an additional 195 properties on evacuation alert.

Tuesday marked exactly one month since the fire, located about 18 kilometres southwest of Keremeos, was discovered.

ORIGINAL:

Although the 44,000-hectare Crater Creek wildfire south of Keremeos continues to see new growth, officials say its progress has stalled on some rocky terrain near the southern portion of the blaze.

BC Wildfire Service says the cross-border blaze saw new growth on the western flank Monday afternoon, Aug. 21, near the Cathedral Provincial Park.

Visibility has remained a challenge for crews since the blaze ballooned to more than 14,000 hectares on Thursday, Aug. 17.

It is still listed as out of control and estimated to be about 18 kilometres southwest of Keremeos.

Taylor Colman, fire information officer at BCWS, says the eastern flank of the fire has run into old burn from the 2018 Snowy Mountain wildfire.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no vegetation there, so the fire is not spreading as quickly,B次元官网网址� Colman said. B次元官网网址淢ost of the growth and activity is on the west and the north.B次元官网网址�

There are currently 13 properties within the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen on evacuation order and an additional 195 properties on evacuation alert. ItB次元官网网址檚 now been more than one month since the fire was discovered.

Last week, Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief Keith Crow aired his frustrations of leaving the Crater Creek wildfire to burn and turn into the massive blaze it is now.zB次元官网网址淲e evacuated 36 homes, roughly 75 people,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淲e had some who chose to stay. When are we going to start taking care of these fires?

B次元官网网址淲ho made the decision to monitor it?

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very frustrated.B次元官网网址�

Evacuation orders for six properties along the Similkameen River were lifted Saturday.

Structure protection crews remain active on the northeast portion of the fire near Ashnola.

B次元官网网址淭hey are being supported by heavy equipment, building a guard there and looking at trying to stop the fire from progressing further north.B次元官网网址�

The blaze has been burning south of the border since Saturday and BCWS crews have continued to work with officials in the U.S.

Smoky skies on Tuesday continue to moderate temperatures but that is expected to change starting on Wednesday.

BCWS says smoke impacts are expected to lessen, which would result in warmer weather.

B次元官网网址淪moke is impeding our ability to utilize aircraft, but there may be opportunities later (Tuesday) as smoke clears and visibility improves.B次元官网网址�

Some precipitation is possible, they added, but only small amounts, if any.

An emergency reception centre has been activated at Princess Margaret Secondary School, 120 Green Avenue E. in Penticton.

As of Tuesday, a total of 350 people have received assistance at the centre.

logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com