There is a strong sense of frustration for many Maritimers whose futures remain uncertain as they continue to flee wildfires in Alberta.
Randy Scott finally reunited with his wife Tuesday at the airport in Sydney after a troubling few days for the both of them.
“Lots of smoke, a little bit of ash, I don’t know,” says Scott. “It’s just good to be home.”
Scott, along with more than 8,000 workers, was evacuated from camps in northern Alberta on Tuesday. Now they are left wondering whether they will have a job to go back to.
“Well, that could be the end of his job,” says Scott’s wife, Jackie. “Every day he wasn’t sure if he had to return.”
“Work is dry enough as it is,” says evacuee Garrett Truckair. “If this comes through and puts everyone home for however long, then you don’t know if you can pay the bills. If you have kids, some guys have to live paycheque to paycheque.”
The fire began moving north again Monday night, affecting Syncrude and Suncor facilities. Although the company stressed there has been no damage to infrastructure yet, many are still worried about what the future holds.
“My brother just got evacuated again,” says evacuee Wilson Jakes. “He got sent home last week. They brought him up Saturday, and he’s in Edmonton now. He doesn’t know if he’s getting back home.”
While some have made it back to the Maritimes safely, there are other camps that have not been evacuated. Everyone is still keeping an eye on the wildfire as they continue to grow.
Jackie Scott is relieved to have her husband back home, but says she’s still worried for other Cape Bretoners still in Alberta, and for their spouses who are watching the situation unfold at home.
“I’m worried. I’m like the rest of the Cape Breton wives. We should have our own club,” she says. “Every day we just don’t know. You’re always trying to keep in contact, but you don’t always have the communication because they’re on site.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
