Canadian military base fire kills 4, injures 39. Strong winds fueled a grass fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta, killing four service members and injuring 39, including 19 in critical condition. The fire, which spread rapidly due to high winds, occurred during military training and is under investigation.
The fire broke out at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright on Saturday, with winds reaching up to 96 km/h. Officials confirmed the fire spread a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds, describing it as an uncommon event. Four service members were confirmed dead, including Sgt Morgan Wong, Pte Shaun Farrell, Pte Aidan Goulding and Pte Hayden Lykkemark.
Prime Minister Mark Carney described the incident as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada's military. The fire occurred during high-intensity combat training with live munitions, and no terrorist activity is suspected. The cause remains under investigation, with officials ruling out oil and gas infrastructure as a factor.
Officials have ruled out terrorism as a cause of the fire, though the exact origin is still under investigation. The incident has led to a mass-casualty response, with patients being treated in multiple hospitals across Alberta. The Canadian military and civilian firefighters fought the fire through the night in extreme conditions.