Rainfall has been a welcome relief for firefighters battling wildfires in Alberta, allowing them to reinforce firebreaks and put out hot spots. As a result, many of the 7,000 evacuees have been allowed to return home, although some are still under evacuation alert. The province has seen 65 wildfires this season, with 17 still out of control. However, the rate of growth has slowed, according to Alberta Wildfire information unit manager Christie Tucker. Assistance is arriving from overseas, with 25 firefighters from New Zealand having arrived and another 200 due from Australia this weekend. The season is not over and officials are planning for the months ahead. Alberta has seen more than one million hectares burned so far this year, making it the second-worst wildfire season on record.