Fatalities, Injuries Reported After Fire Incident at CFB Wainwright

Canadian officials said Saturday that people were killed and injured after a serious incident triggered a large fire at one of the country’s busiest military installations.

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

Officials did not immediately release the number of fatalities or injuries.

“I’m saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base,” McGuinty told reporters.

McGuinty said the blaze remained active Saturday evening.

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

The municipality of Wainwright said flames had moved beyond the military base’s perimeter and into nearby areas.

Local authorities said no evacuation orders had been issued.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also commented on the incident 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 at the base in a post on X.

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

“The Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, partners across the federal government, including public safety, are working with the government of Alberta and municipal governments to mobilize all necessary support,” McGuinty said.

Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is 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 neighboring town of Wainwright has roughly 6,600 residents.

The cause of the incident was not immediately known.