Four service members killed as fire races across Canadian military base

A fast-moving fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta killed four service members and injured dozens after strong winds drove the flames across a training area, according to Canadian military officials. At least 19 of the 39 people receiving hospital care were in critical condition, the BBC reported on 19 October. [1]

Maj-Gen Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, said the fire had been about a kilometre away before the wind shifted. “It is not normal for a fire to move a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds,” he told reporters.

The blaze began at about 16:00 local time on Saturday. Rutland said infantry personnel had been carrying out high-intensity combat training with live munitions at a grenade range and an attack range. Officials knew about the fire for several hours, he said, but training was allowed to continue for a period.

Rutland said the cause was not yet known and the investigation could take at least a month. Some witnesses reported hearing explosions, prompting speculation that oil and gas infrastructure might have been struck. Rutland said authorities did not believe the fire resulted from such infrastructure. The Canadian Armed Forces said there were no current indications of terrorist activity, while the investigation continued.

Prime Minister Mark Carney called the deaths one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada’s armed forces. The BBC identified the dead as Sgt Morgan Wong, Pte Shaun Farrell, Pte Aidan Goulding and Pte Hayden Lykkemark. [1]

Wainwright, about 130 miles east of Edmonton, is a major military training base used for live-fire exercises. A typical day brings about 690 military personnel and 300 civilian workers to the site. [1]