Four soldiers have been killed and dozens have been injured following a fatal fire at a Canadian Force Base in Wainwright, Alberta.
Those who lost their lives were identified below:
- Pte. Aidan Goulding of the Third Battalion from North Vancouver, B.C.
- Pte. Shaun Farrell of the Third Battalion from Prince Albert, Sask.
- Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of the Third Battalion from Langley, B.C.
- Sgt. Morgan Wong of the Royal Edmonton Regiment from Edmonton, Alta.
“These Canadians and the 19 critical and 20 others hospitalized were training for an upcoming 2027 deployment to Latvia in Europe. They were in service to our nation, in service to NATO and in service to protect us all and our way of life on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. We owe them our gratitude for their service to our Freedom,” said Prime Minister Mark Carney in a social media statement Sunday evening.
Speaking to Canadians on earlier Sunday, the Prime Minister said, “military and civilian crews fought this fire throughout the night in some of the worst conditions imaginable, risking their lives to protect.
“Yesterday afternoon, a violent fast-moving fire swept through CFB Wainwright, Alberta, and what followed was one of the worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime.”
The Armed Forces confirmed early Sunday that there’s no indication the fire which ripped through a training area at CFB Wainwright — around 200 km southeast of Edmonton — on Saturday, spreading beyond the massive base, was the result of terrorist activity.
Carney would add in his statement Sunday morning in Ottawa, “Now as the situation is evolving rapidly, I have asked that a detailed account and a formal briefing be provided.” Before adding that another update will be taking place Sunday afternoon with military officials.
Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith confirmed that 39 people were injured — 19 in critical condition, and eight are stable.
By Sunday afternoon, Major-General L.W. Rutland, Commander 1st Canadian Division, Canadian Armed Forces confirmed that the fire hit while Canadian Forces were training and a grass fire started. Due to strong winds, the fire quickly spread, cause the destruction.
“Range control knew there was a fire for several hours. It was decided that it could carry on for a certain amount of time, and as it was contained,” Rutland said before noting that he wouldn’t want to speculate on the size of the fire.
Rutland also confirmed that C Company of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Third Battalion was conducting a pair of live training exercises which included the use of live grenades on the grenade range as well as other live munitions.
The fire spread rapidly spreading over a kilometre, within about 30 seconds to a minute, crossing established fire guards and hit the administrative area of the section attack range.
“I spoke to may commander on the ground,” he added. “He said within 30 seconds to a minute they saw no fire, and then there was a fire right on top of them.”
It is believed that personnel were evacuated within 20 to 30 minutes from the time of notification.
Rutland added at this time, it is not believed that a gas line was damaged during the training exercises. Adding that an investigation into the cause of the fire in underway, including looking at topography, field conditions, foliage, etc.
STARS air ambulance from Edmonton and Saskatoon responded to the scene helping to transport patients to Wainwright, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary.
Acute Care Alberta said significant medical resources were needed to respond 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 coordinated for “an incident that results in multiple severe patients needing care at the same time.”
By 1:32 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Sunday, Acute Care Alberta said the Code Orange had been stood down, saying in a statement that “regular acute care operations have resumed, under existing high capacity pressures and some additional localized staffing pressures in the Wainwright and Flagstaff County areas.”
Emergency Health Services (EHS) Alberta deployed 30 units directly into Wainwright, including 22 ground ambulances, six fixed-wing and two rotary wing units, according to Acute Care Alberta.
“Active emergency response was sustained across the system for more than 10 hours, with patients transported to and receiving care at facilities across our entire province,” the statement continued, before noting that patients were transferred from Wainwright Healthcare Centre to four facilities: the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH), Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH), Foothills Medical Centre (FMC) and Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC).
“It is anticipated that care for patients impacted by this incident will be intensive and will add to existing high demand on acute care in Alberta,” said Acute Care Alberta.
Alberta is mourning alongside the Canadian Armed Forces and the families, friends and colleagues of those affected by the tragic incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright yesterday.
The loss of life and injuries are heartbreaking. On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and wish those who have been injured a full recovery. Our thoughts are also with the military personnel, families and colleagues facing uncertainty and grief during this incredibly difficult time.
We are deeply grateful to the first responders, paramedics, physicians, nurses and hospital teams across Alberta who have mobilized to provide care to those injured. Albertans should all be incredibly proud of their frontline health care workers and our acute care system that has managed this mass casualty event. We’re also thankful to our neighbours in Saskatchewan who did not hesitate to support our response with additional air ambulance capacity, and to other provinces who have reached out offering their support and condolences.
I will be traveling to Edmonton today to meet with provincial ministers and federal officials. The Government of Alberta continues to work closely with the federal government and local authorities. We have convened our Emergency Management Cabinet Coordination Committee and the Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre (PECC) has been activated to a level 3.
As a mark of respect for those who have lost their lives and in solidarity with the military community and their families, flags at provincial government buildings across Alberta will be lowered to half-mast.
In the days ahead, our thoughts will remain with everyone affected by this tragedy. Alberta stands with the Canadian Armed Forces, the people of Wainwright and all those grieving during this difficult time.
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) October 18, 2026
“The loss of life and injuries are heartbreaking,” Smith said in a statement Sunday.
“Alberta stands with the Canadian Armed Forces, the people of Wainwright and all those grieving during this difficult time,” she said.
Late Saturday, Defence Minister David McGuinty underscored the seriousness of the fire, saying he couldn’t “recall an incident like this in recent memory.”
The Forces say the full extent of the fire is still being determined.
“While the incident remains under investigation, at this time, there are no indications that it was the result of any terrorist activity,” a spokesperson said in an email to The Canadian Press on Sunday.
“We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
Fire crews worked to beat back flames that spread beyond the base and prevented the fire from reaching the town of Wainwright, where at least 10 ambulances were seen parked in and around the local health centre late Saturday.
Paratroopers could be seen landing late in the evening, responding as part of search and rescue efforts.
“The people of Wainwright are taking care of their own. And I would like to thank those Albertans and Canadians who are giving blood. Who are feeding and housing the emergency crews, and who are providing solace and comfort to those to the darkest hour,” said Carney.
“Those affected came from bases. Right across this country. They included reservists. And soldiers from the storied Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Throughout Canada’s history, the Princess Pat’s have fought for freedom, democracy, human dignity. In the First World War. And the second. In Korea, in Afghanistan. And during numerous peacekeeping missions over decades.”
“That is the record. That is the standard, those are the values of the women and men who were training yesterday on the Alberta prairie when disaster struck,” Carney added.
CFB Wainwright is one of Canada’s largest military training facilities and regularly hosts major training exercises involving members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“CFB Wainwright is where the women and men of our armed forces learn to do the hardest things this country can ask of anyone. Those we lost, those who were injured we’re training to defend Canada. To serve Canada. Now Canada serves them,” said Carney.
“We will be there for their families for as long as they need. We will care for the injured through every step of their recovery. And we will stand by the women and men of our armed forces as they bear the weight of this loss. They will not carry it alone. Cause in Canada, you take care of one another.”
Training at CFB Wainwright in Alberta is “as real as it can be” to prepare soldiers for combat operations, says a retired Canadian Armed Forces major-general.
Retired Maj.-Gen. David Fraser, who spent much of his over 30-year military career training at CFB Wainwright, said in interview Sunday that training can involve up to thousands of people depending on the exercise.
Some exercises are individual he said, providing an example of a member shooting a rifle at a gun range. Others are known as collective exercises, which involve two or more members, he said.
“They’re progressive,” Fraser said. “You start off with one person and you end up at some stage in the game probably with 5,000 or 6,000 people,” he said.
Fraser said training at the base 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton teaches regular and reserve forces to use every weapon in the military’s arsenal, including aircraft. The exercises can involve firing both unloaded and loaded weapons, he said.
Fraser describes the exercises as organized and methodical and says something went wrong at CFB Wainwright on Saturday.
“It’s very procedural, it’s complex, it’s detailed to make it as safe as possible,” he said.
He adds that forces who undergo this training are well-versed in safety procedures and safety staff oversee the exercises.
“Any training starts off with dry training to refresh your skills, to make sure you’re ready to go and use anything that’s live,” he said.
Forces participate in safety briefings before an exercise begins and are given specific instructions on what they are permitted to shoot and what orders they will be given to stop the exercise in the event something goes wrong, he said.
CFB Wainwright is adjacent to the town of Wainwright, home to close to 7,000 people and located about 50 kilometres west of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.
Fraser described the base as one the Canadian military’s premier training areas, which was used to train forces that served on-the-ground in Afghanistan following the 911 terrorist attacks in the United States.
“The training area is essentially prairie with a lot of aspen trees and a lot of rolling terrain, and it’s really good for vehicles to go through,” he said. “It’s an outstanding training area.”
Fraser said the base is fenced off and there are signs advising the public that it is a Department of National Defence property. Additionally, he said personnel put up barriers and red flags to alert people when there are live firing exercises taking place.
Fraser said the priority for the armed forces is to notify the affected families and ensure that there is no further damage to the training base.
As well, he anticipates both the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP will conduct investigations to determine how the fire started.
Fire disrupts advance vote
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 Saturday and the ballots transported securely.
Premier Smith encouraged all voters to check with Elections Alberta to see if there is any disruptions for the vote on Monday.
Felt across the country
Carney also said that flags would be flown at half-mast at all federal buildings. The sentiment was echoed by Premier Smith and several other Premiers.
Oro-Medonte mayoral candidate Cathy Keane confirmed on a Facebook post that her son was critically injured in the blaze, saying, “Overnight, our family received the devastating news that our eldest son is among the military personnel critically injured in the incident in Wainwright, Alberta, on Saturday. As a mother, right now I need to be with my son and family. I will be travelling to Alberta and unable to continue door-knocking for the remainder of the mayoral campaign. Please share the pinned post with my information with your neighbours, friends and your community.”
She’d ended her statement saying, “Right now, I ask for your understanding as our family navigates an incredibly difficult and uncertain time. We are grateful for the kindness and support of our friends and community. Please hold your loved ones a little tighter tonight.”
Edmonton’s Mayor Andrew Knack issued a statement on Sunday say, “On behalf of the Edmonton City Council and all Edmontonians, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts are also with the loved ones and first responders who are supporting them during this difficult time.”
He would go on to add that he’s been in contact with the offices of the Premier and Prime Minister, and the Mayor of Wainwright, offering Edmonton’s unwavering support.
“Our hearts are with the Municipal District of Wainwright, the Canadian Armed Forces and their families following the news of a devastating incident at CFB Wainwright. The men and women who serve our country consistently give all they can to protect each of us through their service. Right now is a moment for us as a community to do the same,” Knack’s statement continued.
“Thank you to the first responders and front line workers whose dedication is supporting those affected and their families and loved ones. Edmontonians always come together in times of need. We support one another, show compassion and step up when our neighbours need us most, and it matters now more than ever.”
Premiers across the country said on social media that they are ready to help in whatever way they can.
My thoughts are with everybody who has been affected by the terrible incident that took place at CFB Wainwright in Alberta last night, including members of our armed forces and the heroic first responders on the scene.
As Canadians, let’s come together to support our brave men and women in uniform, who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and our country. Ontario stands ready to help the recovery efforts however we can.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 18, 2026
Very sorry to hear about the loss of life and the injuries at CFB Wainwright.
Sending all of our support to CAF members, Alberta, and the first responders on the scene.
— Wab Kinew (@WabKinew) October 18, 2026
There is a major incident this evening involving a fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. The BC Government has reached out to Alberta to offer all possible assistance. Please hold Canadian Armed Forces members, their families and the emergency crews in your hearts tonight.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) October 18, 2026
Saskatchewan has deployed resources to Alberta and is ready to provide more if required to assist in responding to the serious incident at CFB Wainwright.
Our hearts are with all those affected at CFB Wainwright and in the surrounding communities, as well as the first responders and those on the front lines of this tragic incident.
— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) October 18, 2026
I was in touch earlier today with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to express the condolences and support of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians following the tragic incident at CFB Wainwright.
On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families, fellow service members and friends of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts are also with those who were injured, and we wish them strength and a full recovery.
Newfoundland and Labrador has a proud and enduring military history, and our connection to the Canadian Armed Forces runs deep. We recognize that a tragedy like this is felt throughout the military community, across our province and across the country. We stand alongside the people of Wainwright, all Albertans and Canada’s military community during this incredibly difficult time.
We are deeply grateful to the military and civilian first responders, health-care professionals and community members working tirelessly to support those affected.
Flags at Confederation Building and offices across the province will be lowered to half-mast in honour of those who lost their lives.
— Tony Wakeham (@TonyWakehamNL) October 18, 2026
Nova Scotians stand with all those affected by the tragic incident at CFB Wainwright.
Our thoughts go out to everyone who is grieving today and send our heartfelt thanks to the brave first responders and medical personnel who are working so hard to ease pain and save lives.
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are part of Nova Scotia’s fabric. Nearly every Nova Scotian knows someone who serves our country. They are our neighbours. Our kids go to school and play hockey together. They are dedicated community volunteers and they are our friends.
Today all those who are suffering are in our prayers.
— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) October 18, 2026
-With files from the Canadian Press
