In brief
A large fire broke out near Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, killing and injuring several people. The Canadian Armed Forces and local authorities are investigating the cause while managing the blaze, which spread rapidly with strong winds. Defence Minister David McGuinty described the scene as “very, very active and delicate”, and Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his thoughts for the troops affected. The incident has prompted emergency resets and a call for residents to keep clear of the area.
A large fire near a Canadian military base in Alberta has killed and injured some people, the defence minister said, without confirming the number of casualties.
The Canadian Armed Forces were working with local authorities to manage the fire and were looking into what caused it, David McGuinty said, describing the situation as “very, very active and delicate”.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said on X that a “serious incident creating a major fire” had occurred, adding his “thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected”.
Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where the fire broke out, is one of the country’s busiest military training bases.
The blaze “spread rapidly due to high winds” and had torn through the fences of the base, the Municipal District of Wainwright said.
McGuinty told reporters he “cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory”.
It is unclear when the fire broke out, but the district first posted about the incident at about 17:30 local time.
Local authorities have urged residents to avoid the area and give all emergency vehicles right of way.
