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Uncertain future for Fort McMurray evacuees as reality sinks in

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[Some Fort McMurray evacuees arrived at the emergency shelter in Anzac which was under a mandatory evacuation order on Thursday. CANADIAN PRESS VIDEOS]

The people who’ve had to flee Fort McMurray don’t know what’s next two days after a wildfire emptied the entire Alberta city of 80,000.

They’ve had to abandon their homes and belongings and try to find somewhere to stay, not only for a couple of nights, but likely much longer.

Candice Earle, her husband Robbie and their two dogs have been staying at a Suncor camp about an hour and a half north of Fort McMurray. Their room has a single bed and bathroom, and they have been given meals and are receiving regular information updates.

Earle, who is a registered nurse, says they’re hoping to get on a flight from one of the oilsands companies to Calgary or Edmonton where they can stay with family.

So far, it looks like their home in the Eagle Ridge neighbourhood in Fort McMurray’s north end is OK, but they don’t expect to return anytime soon.

“They say it’d probably be a couple weeks before we can go home. If there’s a home to go to,” Earle told Yahoo Canada News in a phone interview.

[Candace Earle’s husband Robbie walking the couple’s dogs at the Suncor camp north of Fort McMurray, Alta. PHOTO: Candace Earle]

Others haven’t been as lucky.

Miguel Ramirez says he and his family have lost everything in the wildfire that has engulfed 85,000 hectares since it began on Sunday. They made it to Edmonton and spent one night at a hotel, but can’t afford to stay there any longer.

He’s trying to find a place for them to stay, but hasn’t had any luck.

Russell Thomas hadn’t seen his family since Tuesday. He was outside the community when the fire started and tried to drive back to get his wife and two kids. At one point he thought about parking his truck in a ditch and running there.

“I’ve never been more afraid in my life,” he told Yahoo Canada News while en route to meet his family at the airport in Calgary.

Because of the fire he was forced south towards Edmonton and his family went north to Fort McKay.

“It’s awful being separated. We’ll all feel a sense of relief when we’re together again.”

Thomas lives in downtown, which has so far escaped major damage thanks to the firefighters who are now focusing efforts on protecting the city’s critical infrastructure.

“If our house burns there will be no more downtown Fort McMurray,” he says.

If downtown is damaged it will be much harder for the city to rebuild, Thomas says. However, if downtown and remaining residential areas stay largely undamaged there is a starting point to rebuild.

“It will give us enough of a base to start over,” he says.

Thomas plans to stay with his wife’s family in Calgary until they can return home.

As the director of communications and community impact for United Way, Thomas is also figuring out how to work to help rebuild Fort McMurray.

At the Suncor camp, Earle says time is moving very slowly as people anxiously await updates, but people’s spirits are fairly high.

“We’re able to sympathize with each other,” she says. “It’s good to have the support of everyone around you.”