CFB Wainwright fire: RCMP involvement wraps, Canadian Armed Forces review continues

Investigators from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are combing for clues in the wake of Saturday’s violent, wind-whipped wildfire that started during a training exercise at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright, killing three soldiers and a reservist and injuring 39 more.

The Canadian Forces national investigative services, the First Military Police Regiment incident response team, and the CAF fire marshal team headed to the base 206 km southeast of Edmonton to begin the exhaustive process of deciphering the large swath of scorched ground.

Cpl. Gina Slaney, public information officer with the Alberta RCMP media group, said the RCMP sent numerous resources to assist with the fire.

“Our initial involvement is winding down, though we still have resources available if needed,” Slaney said Monday.

Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division battalion, told reporters in a Sunday briefing the fire had been burning for hours before it took a sudden turn towards the victims.

“The range control knew there was a fire for several hours. It was decided that that could carry on for a certain amount of time, as it was contained,” Rutland said, adding he wouldn’t speculate on the size of the initial blaze.

“The weather for the majority of the day was well within standard procedures, well below 50 (km/h),” Rutland said.

Rutland said the commander on the ground spoke with him both Saturday and Sunday.

He told Rutland the fire was a kilometre away from the victims when it seemed to take on velocity.

“He said within 30 seconds to a minute they saw no fire, and then there was a fire right on top of them,” Rutland said.

Asked if the incident would change training protocols, Rutland wouldn’t rule it out.

“This is why we have an investigative team out there, and we’ll come up with the right answer. And if our protocols need to change, then they’ll be updated,” he said.

Rutland described the exercise as “high-intensity combat training with live munitions.”

“They were throwing hand grenades on a hand grenade range and conducting what we call a section attack — 10 soldiers attacking a simulated enemy,” he said.

The exercise for the Third Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) was meant to prepare them for two roles, “to become what’s called our global response task force, ready to move within hours to any hotspot around the world,” Rutland said.

“Also, they were preparing to go to Latvia in April and May to bolster our brigade that’s in Latvia.”

It was the 84-member Charlie Company that was involved in that segment of the training.

Rutland would not rule out ordnance as a cause of the blaze.

“There was a multitude of ordnance moving through the Wainwright training area — grenade launcher, grenades, small arms, ammunition. Quite frankly, it could have been any of that or none of it. When this happens, we send a team in to look at the oil and gas infrastructure to make sure it’s not damaged. Initial impression is not, but we will definitely check. And again, this is why we’re getting that fire marshal team on the ground because we’ve got to check what’s caused it. But it could be a multitude of things,” Rutland said.

There are an estimated 180 gas wells dotting the sprawling 150,000-acre base, but they weren’t believed to be involved in the disaster, Rutland said.

“You may have heard reports of explosions. Certainly, we do not believe this to be as a result of any oil and gas infrastructure, nor any outside interference,” Rutland told reporters.

Rutland said parachuters dropped in to the scene Saturday were CAF search and rescue technicians part of Air Force efforts and government efforts to get more capacity on the ground as soon as possible.

With the number of casualties — four dead, 39 hospitalized and 19 in critical condition, along with the complexity of the incident — it could take nearly a month for the board of inquiry to make a report to the public.

The C Company has been moved out of the training area and the rest will move back home for a breather. The remainder of the battalion took a “maintenance day” on Sunday.

As the news spread, offers of help poured in from around the country and flags went to half-staff.

Immediate help came from the government of Saskatchewan, the neighbouring province just 60 km away from Wainwright CFB, and home province for one of the four fire victims, Prince Albert Pte. Shaun Farrell.

“Saskatchewan sent air ambulance support on Saturday night and stands ready to provide additional resources as needed,” said Premier Scott Moe.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for the Canadian Armed Forces, the Wainwright community, and families across Canada.”

National Defence Minister David J. McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, and partners across the federal government, including Public Safety, are working with the Government of Alberta and municipal governments to mobilize all necessary support.

Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff, said it was a profoundly difficult moment for the entire Canadian Armed Forces.

“Our immediate focus remains on supporting those affected, assisting emergency response efforts, and ensuring the well-being of our members, their families, and the surrounding community. While casualty identification and notification processes are ongoing, I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives. Our thoughts are also with all those impacted by this tragic incident,” Carignan said.

Lt-Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, said soldiers, civilian personnel, and emergency responders are working closely with local authorities.

“The Canadian Army remains committed to supporting those affected and will continue to provide assistance wherever it is needed,” Wright said.

One of the busiest Army bases in the country, CFB Wainwright is home to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, well-known among Canadian troops as the go-to live-fire and combined-arms training ground.

Retired Maj. Claude Villeneuve served decades in the CAF. He told Postmedia Alberta has always been rooted in the Armed Forces, with major bases in the First World War and Second World War.

Founded in 1940 and used as a prisoner-of-war camp during the Second World War, Wainwright eventually became central to preparing Canadian soldiers to serve, Villeneuve said.

“Every soldier who is going to be deployed around the world for the Canadian Forces came here for training, so everyone knows about Wainwright,” he said.

Canadian Forces fire trucks extinguish hot spots on the edge of Canadian Forces Base Wainwright on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. The blaze spread after killing several soldiers and injured dozens more on Saturday afternoon.

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