Rain and thunderstorms in the forecast are expected to bring some relief to wildfires burning in central Alberta in the coming days. Warnings and watches for rainfall or thunderstorms covered much of the west and middle of the province by Sunday afternoon, including areas with some of the largest wildfires burning out of control. Environment Canada warned of a “long episode of rain, at times, heavy” and between 50 to 75 millimetres by Wednesday for a number of places including Edson, Whitecourt, Fox Creek, Slave Lake and Rocky Mountain House areas. Showers were expected to develop Sunday evening, intensify overnight, and continue into the middle of the week, potentially enough to cause flash floods and water pooling on the roads. …Christie Tucker, information unit manager for Alberta Wildfire, said rain and cooler temperatures Monday could help firefighters working in the middle of the province. 

Additional coverage in the CBC News by Mrinali Anchan: Smoke offers some relief for Alberta firefighters in wildfire battle