Deaths, injuries as fire hits Alberta military base: McGuinty

Defence Minister David McGuinty says there have been deaths and injuries after a fire broke out Saturday at a military base in Alberta.

Fire crews scrambled late into the night as fierce winds whipped flames beyond CFB Wainwright, a massive military training base located 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.

McGuinty, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, confirmed the casualties but had no other details to share, including numbers or what happened.

“I cannot recall such an incident in my short time for sure as a minister, but I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,” McGuinty said.

“We will have more to say in the coming hours and days,” he added.

“At this time, our thoughts are with the families and with everyone impacted by this tragic event.”

He said Armed Forces members were at the scene and that RCMP were also involved. “This is an active and delicate situation and soon to be an active and delicate investigation.”

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.

It also confirmed the fire had started about 4 p.m. and that military and local emergency crews responded. RCMP had said earlier Saturday that officers had also been called at the time.

“Early reports were that there was a fire at a training area,” police said.

In Wainwright late Saturday, at least 10 ambulances were seen parked in and around the local health centre, red lights flashing in the darkness. Paramedics and soldiers rushed about. One patient was seen being loaded into an ambulance.

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.”

CFB Wainwright is one of Canada’s busiest bases and is used mainly to train soldiers and prepare units for combat operations.

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.”

As McGuinty delivered the news, fire crews were battling flames raging between the base and the nearby town of Wainwright, which has about 7,000 people.

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, on social media, announced the fire was being held and that property and critical infrastructure were protected. No evacuation order was issued for residents.

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

The fire also disrupted advance voting for Monday’s provincial referendum on whether Alberta should hold a binding separation vote. Elections Alberta said two advance polling locations — in Lloydminster and Vermilion — were closed early and the ballots transported securely.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a social media post that he was in close contact with Premier Danielle Smith

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

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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2026.

— with files from Jack Farrell in Edmonton