Fort McMurray wildfires hitting close to home for Maritimers

Images of loved ones fleeing for their lives in Fort McMurray is leaving scars on the hearts of people right across the Maritimes.

Riverview residents Ann Ayles and Connie MacEachern say they barely got any sleep Tuesday night as they were desperately trying to connect with family living in some of the hardest hit regions.

READ MORE: New Brunswick family reunited, fleeing south from Fort McMurray wildfire

“I had heard the Beacon Hill was destroyed and my brother lives there and I was told he lost everything,” Ayles said.

WATCH: Thousands displaced from Fort McMurray, Alberta as an out-of-control wildfire is causing widespread devastation.

0:52 Fort McMurray emergency operations centre evacuated

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At least 15 of Ayles’ family members are among the thousands of Maritimers working out west that have been displaced.

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MacEachern, who lives in Fort McMurray but is home for a visit, managed to reach her husband Wednesday. He, their son and the couples’ grandchildren raced north to safety on Tuesday night.

“We want to get out of here with all the kids and I don’t blame them cause you don’t know what the wind is going to do” her husband, Wesley MacEachern said by phone.

“I am just very fearful that if the fire doesn’t get contained they are going to get trapped up there,” MacEachern said.

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "I am just very fearful that if the fire doesn't get contained they are going to get trapped up there," MacEachern said.

READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: How do you fight the blaze?

Her family is hoping to catch a free flight from the northern camp to Edmonton today.

Maritimers living in oilsands camps are trying to make their way back home to make room for those evacuated from Fort McMurray.