A major fire near a military base in the Canadian province of Alberta has resulted in several casualties. However, Defence Minister David McGuinty has not confirmed the exact number of those affected.
He stated that the Canadian Armed Forces are working in coordination with local authorities to bring the fire under control, while an investigation into its cause is underway. He described the situation as “highly active and sensitive.”
In a post on the social media platform X, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney noted that a “serious incident” had escalated into a major fire. He expressed his sympathies to all the brave men and women affected by the event.
The fire broke out at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta—one of Canada’s busiest military training facilities. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), it serves as the country’s primary base for training involving live-fire exercises and the use of weaponry. On a typical day, the base accommodates approximately 690 military personnel and 300 civilian staff.
Authorities in the Municipal District of Wainwright reported that strong winds on Saturday caused the fire to spread rapidly, eventually crossing the base’s perimeter fence.
Defence Minister McGuinty remarked to reporters that he could not recall a similar incident occurring in recent times.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as a “massive and tragic” event, noting that many of the province’s brave military personnel have been affected. She added that provincial authorities are in contact with the federal government to manage the situation and assist with the investigation.
It remains unclear exactly when the fire began; however, local authorities issued their first statement regarding the incident at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. Meanwhile, the authorities have instructed local residents to avoid the area and to allow vehicles engaged in emergency services to move about without obstruction.
