At least seven people are dead and dozens more left injured from an explosion and fire at the , according to multiple military sources.
The explosion was caused by a live-fire training exercise hitting a gas line or gas well on the base around 4 p.m. MT, multiple Canadian Armed Forces sources told Global News.
It ignited a fire that, fuelled by high winds, spread rapidly beyond the boundaries of the training area.
The Canadian Armed Forces said military and civilian emergency services responded quickly to control that fire and to “support those affected by this tragic event.”
The flames were blinding, a source on scene said, adding troops were loading the injured to bring back to base before going back into the field to collect more of their comrades.
No amount of training could have prepared them for this, the source said.
“I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,” Minister of National Defence David McGuinty said on Saturday night when addressing the mass casualty event at the military base in central Alberta.
“This is a very, very active and delicate situation.”
Military medics were seen being briefed at the emergency department of the hospital in Wainwright, where dozens of ambulances also converged to treat and transport patients.
More than a dozen CAF personnel were also parachuted into Wainwright late Saturday night, arriving at the health centre to respond to the explosion and fire.
While the Canadian Armed Forces confirmed there were fatalities and injuries, an update Sunday morning said the situation continues to evolve and the full extent of the impact remains under assessment.
“Our immediate priority is supporting those affected and notifying next of kin. We will not confirm casualty or injury details until that process is complete,” the military said.
Located on the Prairies in rural eastern Alberta, CFB Wainwright is one Canada’s busiest military training bases, used mainly to train soldiers and prepare units for combat operations.
It’s also the site of the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which prepares military units to operate together in realistic battlefield conditions, and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides basic infantry training.
The head of the Canadian Armed Forces said the military was facing a serious incident at CFB Wainwright and was working in close collaboration with federal, provincial, and local authorities.
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“Our priority remains the welfare of our members, their families and their community, and my thoughts are with all those affected by this incident,” Chief of the Defence Staff Jennie Carignan said in a statement.
“At this time, our thoughts are with the families and with everyone impacted by this tragic event,” McGuinty said when announcing people had been killed and injured as a result of an incident on the base.
“And I want to thank, in particular, the first responders and everyone providing assistance at a very difficult time.”
The Wainwright Military Family Resource Centre said it was ready to support its military community during this difficult time and asked those in need to call the Family Information Line, which is available 24/7, at 1-800-866-4546.
Alberta hospitals declare mass casualty incident
Several Alberta hospitals were put under a Code Orange, which is declared when a mass casualty incident or external disaster has occurred and many injured patients are expected to arrive all at once.
Acute Care Alberta said significant care resources are needed to support the response to the tragedy, both from EHS-Alberta and in Edmonton-area emergency departments.
The closest major trauma centres to the base are in Edmonton and Albertans in the region were urged Saturday night to avoid tying up health-care resources unless absolutely necessary.
In order to treat both the incoming base patients and continue to address routine demand for urgent care, the ACA told people to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department.
Albertans requiring immediate, emergency care for life-threatening illnesses or injuries were told to go to any of Edmonton’s other acute care facilities, if at all possible.
Ambulances from across Alberta were diverted to the base about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, taking them away from responding to 911 calls in other communities.
“At this time, extremely few EHS-Alberta response unit are available in the Edmonton-area, and acute capacity is finite in several communities across Alberta,” ACA said.
STARS Air Ambulance said it also dispatched crews from both its Edmonton and Saskatoon bases to the fire-related emergency in Wainwright area this evening, as part of a multi-agency response.
One of the agency’s helicopters was spotted landing Saturday night at the University of Alberta Hospital, where the city’s burn unit is located.
Acute Care Alberta said people with non-emergency needs were also asked to consider options besides going to the E.R., including seeing primary care providers, visiting walk-in clinics, going to urgent care if such a facility exists in their community, or calling Health Link 811 to speak to a health-care worker over the phone.
“Choosing care wisely helps us ensure that emergency care is there for those who need it most.”
Alberta Member of Parliament Dane Lloyd said he heard there were “significant casualties” after an explosion and fire at the base.
Lloyd, who represents a riding west of Edmonton, asked in a social media post for people to pray for the soldiers and their families.
McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence and the federal government will have more to share in the coming days.
High winds fuel fire near Wainwright
Much of Alberta was under wind warnings on Saturday, and the explosion triggered a fire that was fuelled by gusts of up to 100 km/h.
The Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire south of town crossed the base fence earlier in the day and was being actively managed.
Firefighting resources from multiple jurisdictions responded and around midnight, the municipality said the wildfire was being held.
A fire watch would remain in place overnight to monitor the affected area and address any changing conditions.
FIRMS (NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System) tracks active fires by satellite and shows a cluster of them on Saturday just to the southeast of the town of Wainwright.
Fire shuts down Alberta referendum advance polling station
Saturday was the final day of advance polling ahead of Monday’s Alberta referendum and the fire forced one location to close early.
Elections Alberta said the fire that originated near the military base spread rapidly due to high winds and has crossed into the municipality, impacting the Wainwright Communiplex advance vote location.
Voters in the Electoral Division 86 were redirected to two other advance vote locations at the Border Inn in Lloydminster, about 105 kilometres to the northeast, and the Vermilion Elks Hall, which was about 65 kilometres directly north of Wainwright.
Elections Alberta said the ballot boxes and materials from Wainwright were being moved securely.
Leaders offer condolences
Premier Danielle Smith has also confirmed the incident, saying there has been a “significant and tragic fire” at CFB Wainwright.
In a post on social media, the premier added the incident has affected many military personnel.
She added that the province is in contact with the federal government and the prime minister.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also posted on social media that his thoughts are with all the brave men and women affected.
Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition and Member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot, put out a message saying: “Pray for Wainwright, everyone. There has been a serious incident that caused a fire at CFB Wainwright. Thank you to the brave firefighters and emergency responders working to save lives.
Poilievre said he spoke with the prime minister and the Minister of Defence to offer his support to everyone on the base and in the community.
“To everyone in the area, please stay safe, follow local emergency instructions, and keep roads clear for first responders,” Poilievre said.
— with files from Jeff Semple, Amy Judd and The Canadian Press