Deaths, Injuries Reported After Fire at CFB Wainwright, Alberta

Canadian authorities reported deaths and injuries Saturday after a serious incident triggered a large fire at one of the nation’s busiest military bases.

Defense Minister David McGuinty confirmed that the incident occurred at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, a major Army training facility in Alberta.

Officials had not yet released the number of people killed or hurt.

“It is with deep sadness that I confirm there have been fatalities and injuries following an incident on the base,” McGuinty told reporters.

The blaze remained active Saturday evening, McGuinty said.

“I cannot recall an incident of this nature in recent memory,” he said.

The municipality of Wainwright reported that flames had moved beyond the military base’s boundaries and into nearby areas.

Despite the spread of the fire, local authorities said they had not issued evacuation orders.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also commented on the emergency in a post on X.

“A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta,” Carney wrote. “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called it a “significant and tragic fire” involving military personnel in a post on X.

The Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and local emergency crews were working at the scene, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence and federal agencies, including public safety officials, were coordinating with Alberta and municipal governments to provide all necessary assistance.

Canadian Forces Base Wainwright sits about 130 miles east of Edmonton. Census figures cited by Reuters showed that approximately 1,310 military and civilian personnel were stationed there in 2021.

The town of Wainwright, located near the base, has an estimated population of 6,600.

Authorities had not determined what caused the incident.