By Ritika Dubey and Angela Amato THE CANADIAN PRESS The number of Alberta wildfire evacuees dropped Wednesday, but thousands remain out of their homes as firefighters braced for hotter, drier conditions in the coming days. Colin Blair, director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, said the number of people out of their homes had fallen to below 18,000 from about 24,000. “Alberta continues to be under a provincial state of emergency,” he said Wednesday. Wildfire danger also forced the evacuation of part of a First Nation southwest of Edmonton. Corrine Bell with the O’Chiese First Nation Emergency Management Response Team said 103 people have been forced to leave the northern area of the reserve. One home has been lost and several have smoke damage. “We’re taking advantage of the gap…