SYDNEY -- Many Maritimers who work in Fort McMurray have been told not to return, leaving families fretting about employment, and worried about those still in Alberta.
Those who arrived in Sydney on Thursday say they’re happy to be home with family, but worried about what comes next.
Faustina Locke’s boyfriend works in Fort McMurray. If he loses his job, she says it will be tough to get by.
“It’s terrible,” she said. “A lot of families have to fly to get work.”
Harold Admond arrived home in Sydney on Thursday afternoon. He says you could feel the sense of urgency and panic as evacuee’s flooded his oil company’s camp site.
“There were many children, animals, dogs, cats, grandparents,” he said. “Just families looking for that safe spot.”
Others, like Alex Kenzi, are waiting for the call to go back to work.
“I was told by my superintendent to stay away as long as I can, because Suncor is shut down right now,” he said. “I might not even have a house to come back to. I’m hoping the fire didn’t actually consume my house and truck that’s sitting in the driveway.”
Meanwhile, the province is stepping in to help Nova Scotians who have been displaced by wildfires. Programs that provide assistance can be accessed through 211.
“Right now, as you know, this is still an active situation,” premier Stephen McNeil said Thursday. “Many of them who have left would not really at this point fully understand what has happened to their property. This won’t end in a week. This is a long term commitment.”
A commitment necessary for those trying to pick up the pieces and move forward.
“It seems to be getting worse every day, instead of better every day,” said Admond. “From what we’re receiving from friends out there, it’s going to be a very long time before anything is back to normal. It will be longer than weeks or months.”
For now, most are focusing on welcoming family members home, grateful they are safe and sound.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
