Emergency crews respond to incident, fire at CFB Wainwright

Military and emergency response crews responded Saturday to what’s being called a “major incident” at CFB Wainwright.

A Saturday evening statement from Acute Care Alberta indicated that Emergency Health Services Alberta “is on scene, and supporting care and transport related to an incident at CFB Wainwright.”

Defence Minister David McGuinty released a social media statement Saturday evening indicating he had “been briefed by the Canadian Armed Forces on the major incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright this evening.”

“We are working closely with the Government of Alberta and first responders,” McGuinty said.

Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated that the incident had created a “major fire.”

A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta.

Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected.

We are working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities. Premier Smith and I are in close contact as are our…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 18, 2026

Premier Danielle Smith referred to the incident as a “significant and tragic fire.”

We are learning of a significant and tragic fire at CFB Wainwright today that is affecting many of our brave military personnel.

Alberta’s government is in close contact with the Government of Canada and Prime Minister Mark Carney as this situation evolves.

Thank you to the…

— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) October 18, 2026

There was no indication Saturday evening of if there were any casualties in the incident, but there were reports that STARS Air Ambulance responded to the scene.

In a Facebook post, Wainwright Fire & Rescue indicated that multiple agencies were responding to the the resulting fire.

The fire also forced the closure of an advance voting station for the Alberta referendum.

More to come.