Deadly fire at CFB Wainwright overwhelms local hospitals, PM calls it 'serious incident'

People were killed and injured after an incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta caused a large fire that spread beyond the base perimeter, Defence Minister David McGuinty said Saturday night. "I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base," McGuinty told reporters in Ottawa. He described the situation as "active and delicate" and said he could not recall an incident like it in recent memory.

The fire crossed the base fence earlier Saturday and spread rapidly because of high winds, according to the Municipal District of Wainwright. Wind gusts across the province reached 100 kilometres per hour. The district said firefighters from multiple jurisdictions were responding and no evacuation order was in effect as of Saturday evening. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are involved in the investigation, McGuinty said.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a social media post that a "serious incident creating a major fire" had occurred at the base. "Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected," he wrote. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the fire "significant and tragic" and said it was affecting many military personnel.

Hospitals in Edmonton receive patients as Wainwright facilities overwhelmed

A doctor at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton told CBC News that patients were being brought to hospitals across the city because Wainwright's healthcare facilities were "completely overwhelmed." Dr. Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician, described the number of patients as "more than any of us want to count right now." He called it "a disaster" and "a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster."

STARS Air Ambulance dispatched two air ambulances from Saskatoon and Edmonton, and Acute Care Alberta confirmed Emergency Health Services were on scene. Wainwright RCMP said they responded to the base after receiving a request for assistance and noted that early reports indicated a fire at a training area. The Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence and other federal agencies are working with provincial and municipal governments to manage the response and determine what occurred, McGuinty said.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province had deployed emergency help to Alberta and was ready to provide more if required. British Columbia Premier David Eby said his government had reached out to Alberta to offer all possible assistance. Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and McGuinty to offer support and urged people in the area to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders.

Elections Alberta shut down the Wainwright Communiplex advance vote location because of the fire and directed voters to alternative sites in Lloydminster or Vermilion. The base, about 200 kilometres east of Edmonton, is one of Canada's busiest military training facilities and home to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre.