CBC reports at least seven deaths in fire at Canadian military base in Alberta

Wainwright, Canada. A major blaze at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta killed at least seven people over the weekend, CBC News reported Sunday, citing unnamed sources. Canadian authorities confirmed that people had died and others were injured, but provided no casualty totals.

Fire broke out in training area

Limited information has been made public about the blaze, which began in a base training area Saturday at approximately 4 p.m. (2200 GMT). Wind gusts reached 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour).

National Defense Minister David McGuinty said Sunday that he would travel to Edmonton for a briefing. The base, among Canada’s largest, lies roughly 210 km (130 miles) to the east of that city.

McGuinty described the severity of the fire Saturday, saying: “I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory.”

Medical response coordinated in Edmonton

CBC News, Canada’s government-funded national broadcaster, reported that health staff in Edmonton said a code orange had been declared Saturday. The mass-casualty designation was used to coordinate medical care for patients being brought from Wainwright.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed support in a social media message: “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” he said.

Flames spread beyond base boundary

The municipality said on social media that flames had passed beyond the base fence and entered the adjoining district. No evacuation orders had been issued.

The town of Wainwright lies immediately north of the base and has about 6,600 residents.

Census figures for 2021 put the number of military and civilian personnel stationed at CFB Wainwright at 1,310. The base houses the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which conducts army exercises and training scenarios.