Major fire breaks out in Alberta after deadly incident on Canadian military base

EDMONTON, Alberta — Canada’s defense minister said Saturday that people were killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that sparked a major fire, while reports said many of the injured were taken to hospitals.

Fire crews rushed late into the night as strong winds fanned flames beyond Canadian Forces Base Wainwright and into the surrounding rural area.

It is unclear how many people were killed or injured, but a doctor at a hospital in the city of Edmonton, 180 kilometers (112 miles) to the northwest, told Canada’s national broadcaster that patients were being rushed to the city’s hospitals as health facilities around the base were “completely overwhelmed” by the number of people needing care.

“That number of patients would overwhelm the city of Edmonton,” Dr. Warren Thirsk, an emergency physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, told CBC News. “There are more patients than we want to count right now. It’s a disaster. It’s a 15 to 25 year disaster.”

Hospitals declare ‘Code Orange’ emergency

Acute Care Alberta said several hospitals in the province have activated a “Code Orange,” an emergency designation used when multiple seriously injured patients require coordinated medical care. The agency said emergency medical resources were so limited that very few ambulances were available in the Edmonton area. He urged people to avoid the emergency department at the University of Alberta Hospital if possible.

Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh said the town’s small hospital was not designed to handle a mass casualty incident, but praised the response of local medical staff. He said helicopters and planes were transporting patients to other facilities for treatment.

At least 10 ambulances were parked in and around the Wainwright Health Center Saturday evening as paramedics and troopers rushed in. A patient was seen being loaded into an ambulance.

The town of Wainwright, located near the base, has a population of approximately 7,000.

Cause of fire unclear, but military rules out terrorism

Defense Minister David McGuinty said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in the investigation into the incident and called the situation “very, very active and sensitive.” He said authorities were still working to determine what happened and planned to provide more information.

The Canadian military said Sunday that there was no indication the incident was the result of terrorism, but that the cause was still under investigation.

McGuinty said Sunday he was traveling to Edmonton to be briefed on the latest developments. He said the military is working closely with the Alberta government and local authorities.

The Canadian Armed Forces said it would not release the number of victims until next of kin have been informed. “The true extent of the impact remains under assessment,” the army said in a statement Saturday evening.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said officers were called shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday following reports of a fire in a training area on the base.

The firefighters were faced with an unstable situation. Large areas of the province were hit during the day by a windstorm with gusts of up to 100 km/h (62 mph). The wind toppled some trees and caused signs to fly and trash cans to roll through the streets.

Around 11 p.m., the Municipal District of Wainwright said on social media that the fire was under control and properties and critical infrastructure were protected. No evacuation orders have been issued for residents.

McGuinty, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, confirmed the casualties but had no further details to share.

“I certainly don’t recall any such incident in my short time as minister, but I can’t recall an incident like this in recent memory,” McGuinty said.

“We will have more to say in the hours and days to come,” he added.

He said members of the Armed Forces were on scene and the RCMP were also involved. “This is an active and sensitive situation and will soon be the subject of an active and sensitive investigation.”

Alberta receives offers of support and assistance

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province was sending aid to Alberta, but did not say what resources were being deployed.

“Our hearts go out to all the brave women and men affected,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier in a social media post.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the fire “significant and tragic” and said it was affecting many military personnel.

CFB Wainwright is one of the busiest military training bases in Canada, where soldiers prepare for combat operations. It is home to the Canadian Maneuver Training Centre, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, as well as the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides military training.

Canadian Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defense minister to offer support to those affected by the fire.

“Pray for Wainwright, everyone,” Poilievre said in a social media post. He urged area residents to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders.

The fire also disrupted advance voting ahead of Monday’s referendum on whether Alberta should begin a process that could lead to Canadian independence. Elections Alberta said two polling stations, in Lloydminster and Vermilion, closed early Saturday and ballots were transported safely.