Fatal Fire Erupts at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Spreads Beyond Perimeter
One dead and multiple injured as blaze at Alberta training area prompts multi-jurisdictional emergency response; local residents advised to avoid the area.
Carla Rooney
A person has died and multiple people have been injured after a serious incident led to a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrived at the site around 4pm local time, responding to reports of a fire within a training area. The Municipal District of Wainwright states the fire's initial outbreak time remains unclear.
David McGuinty confirmed both "fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base," adding, "I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory."
I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory.
Despite confirmed casualties, the defence minister did not specify the number of injured individuals. Dane Lloyd claims an explosion and fire caused significant casualties.
CFB Wainwright housed 1,310 military and civilian personnel as of 2021. Local authorities advise residents to avoid the area and yield to emergency vehicles.
No evacuation order was issued for the nearby community of Wainwright. However, the municipality confirms the fire crossed the base fence into the adjacent district, with reports indicating its spread toward the nearby town.
Pierre Poilievre urged, "Pray for Wainwright, everyone." A major fire continued to burn on Saturday evening.