Fatalities, injuries at CFB Wainwright due to major fire

A major fire at a Canadian military base in central Alberta has resulted in fatalities and injuries, as emergency crews continue to battle the blaze and monitor conditions.

Speaking at a televised briefing on Saturday evening, Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed there had been deaths and injuries resulting from an incident at CFB Wainwright.

He said emergency responders are working alongside provincial and municipal authorities and described the situation as “very active and delicate.”

“On the ground we have Canadian Forces members and the RCMP,” McGuinty said, adding that the fire remains under close watch.

McGuinty said he could not recall a similar incident during his time as defence minister or in recent memory.

The Canadian Armed Forces said in a late evening statement that it wouldn’t confirm the number of casualties or injuries until next of kin had been notified.

“The full extent of the impact remains under assessment,” it said.

CFB Wainwright, located roughly 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, is one of Canada’s largest military training facilities and regularly hosts major training exercises involving members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Premier Danielle Smith described the incident as a “significant and tragic fire” affecting military personnel. She said Alberta’s government is in close contact with the federal government and Prime Minister Mark Carney as the situation continues to unfold.

Carney also addressed the incident Saturday, calling it “a serious incident creating a major fire” at the base.

“Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” the prime minister said.

Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan also didn’t provide details but said Saturday’s fire was a “profoundly difficult” event for the Armed Forces.

“While casualty identification and notification processes are ongoing, I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives,” Carignan said.

Alberta Conservative MP Dane Lloyd posted on social media that there had been an explosion and a fire that “resulted in significant casualties.”

Acute Care Alberta said late Saturday that significant medical resources were needed to respond to the incident and that a “Code Orange” had been activated at several hospitals across the province.

It said the code is declared when health resources need to be co-ordinated to respond “to an incident that results in multiple severe patients needing care at the same time.”

The agency advised people in the Edmonton area to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department and urged those with non-emergency issues to consider other care options.

“At this time, extremely few (Emergency Health Services-Alberta) response (units) are available in the Edmonton-area, and acute capacity is finite in several communities across Alberta.”

Firefighters faced a volatile situation. A windstorm hit large areas of the province during the day, with gusts up to 100 kilometres an hour. The wind toppled some trees and sent signs flying and garbage cans rolling down streets.

By 11 p.m., the Municipal District of Wainwright announced in a social media post that the fire was being held and that property and critical infrastructure were protected.

“A fire watch will remain in place to monitor the affected area and address any changing conditions,” the statement said.

No evacuation order had been issued as of Saturday evening. Residents are asked to avoid the area, keep roads clear for emergency vehicles, and avoid visiting the Wainwright Health Centre unless they have a critical medical need.

In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe said his province is sending help.

STARS air ambulance reported sending two helicopters from Edmonton and Saskatoon.

B.C. Premier David Eby said his government has also reached out to offer help.

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report