Four Canadian soldiers died in a wildfire at a military base in Alberta, with 39 people hospitalized and 19 in critical condition. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the incident one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada's military.
The fire, which began during high-intensity combat training, spread rapidly due to sudden high winds, advancing a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds. Officials identified the dead as four soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
The incident has led to a mass-casualty medical response, with health staff declaring a 'code orange' event. Military and civilian firefighters fought the fire through the night in some of the worst conditions imaginable.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, with officials ruling out outside interference and the region's oil and gas infrastructure as factors.