4 Canadian soldiers killed, 39 injured in training fire
Four Canadian soldiers were killed and 39 others were injured when a fast-moving grass fire swept through a military training area in Alberta, according to officials. At least 19 of the injured are in critical condition.
The incident happened at about 4 p.m. on Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where members of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, were conducting live-fire training as part of Exercise APOLLO SHOOTER.
Major-General Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, said that unusually strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly and change direction toward a range administrative area. The flames crossed established fire guards before military and municipal crews contained the blaze.
“The fire was about a kilometer away, certainly not expected to move anywhere near that range,” Rutland said at a briefing on Sunday. “It moved so quickly that it struck the administration area of the section attack range.”
The battalion’s Charlie Company, which had about 84 soldiers, was affected. Soldiers were conducting two activities at the time: throwing hand grenades on a grenade range and practicing a section attack, in which 10 soldiers advance on a simulated enemy.
More than 350 soldiers were involved in the battalion’s training. They were preparing to serve as a global response force capable of deploying within hours and for a deployment to Latvia in April and May to reinforce Canada’s brigade there.
The military identified those killed as Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding and Private Hayden Lykkemark. Their families have been notified.
Wong was a member of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment serving with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. The other three soldiers were members of the battalion, which is based in Edmonton.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said all 39 injured soldiers remain in hospital, including at least 19 in critical condition. Patients were transferred from Wainwright Health Centre to four other hospitals across the province.
Hospitals activated Code Orange protocols to handle the sudden influx of patients, with the emergency response continuing for more than 10 hours. The protocols has since been lifted at all facilities, all patients had been accounted for and none were awaiting transport.
Some of the injured suffered severe burns and face weeks or months of intensive, specialized care, Smith said. Flags at provincial government buildings across Alberta have been lowered to half-staff.
Defence Minister David McGuinty said those affected included regular force soldiers and reservists. “Every injured member will receive the care they need through every stage of recovery,” he said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Rutland said multiple training activities were taking place across the training area when it began. Addressing reports of explosions, he said officials did not believe the incident resulted from oil and gas infrastructure or outside interference.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service and a military police incident response team have deployed to the base and are working with Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigators. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces fire marshal team were also on their way to assist.
