Paramedics respond at CFB Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday after a major fire killed and injured multiple people.John Ulan/The Canadian Press
- Multiple people were killed and injured in a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in eastern Alberta on Saturday.
- An RCMP spokesperson says a fire was reported at 4 p.m. local time and it extended beyond the boundaries of the training area at the base.
- A code orange was declared at several ERs in the province to coordinate response, and air ambulances were dispatched from Edmonton and Saskatoon.
- The exact number of casualties has not been not confirmed, and few details are available about what happened.
A massive fire killed and injured multiple people at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in eastern Alberta late Saturday afternoon, forcing the country’s military to scramble assets to support local authorities responding to the medical crisis.
Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed at a press conference in Ottawa Saturday that a fire on the base was fanned by high winds and had spread beyond the military installation, but could not confirm how many had died.
“I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,” he told reporters. “This is a very, very active and delicate situation.”
Defence Minister en route to Alberta after deadly fire at CFB Wainwright
Around midnight, two bright red flares dropped from the sky before seven Canadian Forces members parachuted onto the football field of the local high school across the street from the Wainwright hospital. They were soon met by a helicopter that touched down to unload medical equipment, including what appeared to be a ventilator that the troops wheeled into the hospital.
Nearby, paramedics loaded two patients on stretchers into waiting ambulances, which then sped off.
Acute Care Alberta, the agency that coordinates medical services at acute health centres in the province, said a Code Orange had been declared at several ERs “to coordinate a response to an incident that results in multiple severe patients needing care at the same time.” The agency urged people in Edmonton, 200 kilometres northwest of CFB Wainwright, to avoid going to the emergency department at the University of Alberta hospital so that patients coming from the military base could be prioritized.
STARS Air Ambulance spokesperson Natalie Hofstetter said aircraft had been dispatched from Edmonton and Saskatoon.
A code orange was declared at several ERs in the province to respond to the large number of patients after the incident.John Ulan/The Canadian Press
Early Sunday morning, few details were available about what had happened at the camp known for its large training exercises.
Satellite imagery from NASA’s wildfire surveillance system captured at least seven clusters of fire at the camp earlier Saturday night. A post on the Municipal District of Wainwright Facebook page said the wildfire had been held, but a watch would remain in place in case conditions changed.
Alberta MP Dane Lloyd, a former Canadian Forces reservist, said in a social media post on Saturday night that there was an explosion and fire in high winds.
“Hearing terrible news out of CFB Wainwright,” Mr. Lloyd wrote. “Please keep our soldiers, their families and the community of Wainwright in your prayers. God be with them all.”
Defence Minister David McGuinty says there have been deaths and injuries after a fire broke out Saturday at a military base in Alberta. McGuinty had few other details to share but he says the situation is unlike any other in recent memory.
The Canadian Press
Below his post, at least one person said they were awaiting news from their partner, who was a soldier on the base.
RCMP spokesperson Corp. Gina Slaney said she had been authorized to speak on behalf of the Canadian Forces to confirm that a fire was reported at the base around 4 p.m., and that it had extended beyond the boundaries of the training area.
June Winger, president of the Union of National Defence Employees, which represents more than 20,000 civilian military members, said her organization will continue to update and support its members.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating fire at CFB Wainwright, especially the families, military personnel, civilian workers and community members impacted by this tragic incident,” she said. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to the firefighters, first responders and emergency personnel working tirelessly to protect lives and keep people safe.”
Emergency crews and military personnel at the Wainwright Health Centre on Saturday.John Ulan/The Canadian Press
In a social media post, Premier Danielle Smith said there was “a significant and tragic fire at CFB Wainwright that is affecting many of our brave military personnel.”
She said the province is in close contact with the federal government and Prime Minister Mark Carney as the situation evolves. Mr. Carney also posted on social media that “a serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta.” He added: “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province had deployed resources to Alberta and was ready to send more help if required.
B.C. Premier David Eby said he had reached out to Alberta to offer “all possible assistance.”
“Please hold Canadian Armed Forces members, their families and the emergency crews in your hearts tonight,” he posted on social media.