Defence Minister David McGuinty says there have been deaths and injuries after a fire broke out Saturday at a military base in Alberta.
Fire crews scrambled late into the night as fierce winds whipped flames beyond CFB Wainwright, a massive military training base located 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.
McGuinty, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, confirmed the casualties but had no other details to share, including numbers or what happened.
“I cannot recall such an incident in my short time for sure as a minister, but I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,” McGuinty said.
He said Armed Forces members were at the scene and that RCMP were also involved. “This is an active and delicate situation and soon to be an active and delicate investigation.”
Video: Defence minister provides update on incident at CFB Wainwright
The Canadian Armed Forces said in a late evening statement that it wouldn’t confirm the number of casualties or injuries until next of kin had been notified.
“The full extent of the impact remains under assessment,” it said.
It also confirmed the fire had started about 4 p.m. and that military and local emergency crews responded. RCMP had said earlier Saturday that officers had also been called at the time.
“Early reports were that there was a fire at a training area,” police said.CFB Wainwright is a massive military training base located 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton. It’s one of Canada’s busiest and is used mainly to train soldiers and prepare units for combat operations.
Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan released a statement early Sunday morning: “This is a profoundly difficult moment for the entire Canadian Armed Forces. Our immediate focus remains on supporting those affected, assisting emergency response efforts, and ensuring the well-being of our members, their families, and the surrounding community.… I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives.”
Alberta Conservative MP Dane Lloyd posted on social media that there had been an explosion and a fire that “resulted in significant casualties.”
Edmonton hospitals declare ‘code orange’ to deal with casualties
In Wainwright late Saturday, at least 10 ambulances were seen parked in and around the local health centre, red lights flashing in the darkness. Paramedics and soldiers rushed about. One patient was seen being loaded into an ambulance.
Acute Care Alberta said late Saturday that the incident required significant medical resources 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 co-ordinated to respond “to an incident that results in multiple severe patients needing care at the same time.”
The agency advised people in the Edmonton area to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department and urged those with non-emergency issues to consider other care options.
“At this time, extremely few (Emergency Health Services-Alberta) response (units) are available in the Edmonton area, and acute capacity is finite in several communities across Alberta.”
Prime minister and Alberta premier in close contact
Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a social media post that he was in close contact with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Smith said the “tragic fire” is “affecting many of our brave military personnel.”
Carney described the fire as “serious” in an X post.
Crews battle blaze between base and nearby town
McGuinty added that Armed Forces members are at the scene and that RCMP are also involved.
“This is an active and delicate situation and soon to be an active and delicate investigation.”
As McGuinty delivered the news, fire crews in Alberta were battling flames raging between the base and the nearby town of Wainwright.
Asked if the town of about 7,000 people was threatened by the fire, McGuinty said he understood people there were helping the base with the injured and the fire.
Firefighters were facing a volatile situation. Large areas of the province were hit during the day by a windstorm with gusts up to 100 kilometres an hour. The wind toppled some trees and sent signs flying and garbage cans rolling down streets.
The Municipal District of Wainwright said in a social media post that high winds whipped flames beyond the base and into the surrounding area.
“Emergency responders are actively assessing the situation and working to protect people, property and critical infrastructure,” it said.
The fire also disrupted advance voting for Monday’s provincial referendum on whether Alberta should begin the process of separating from Canada. Elections Alberta said two advance polling locations – in Lloydminster and Vermilion – were closed early and the ballots transported securely.
In Saskatchewan, Premier Scott Moe said his province is sending help to Alberta but didn’t give specifics.
STARS air ambulance reported sending two helicopters from Edmonton and Saskatoon.
B.C. Premier David Eby said his government has also reached out to offer help.
— with files from Jack Farrell in Edmonton
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2026.