Canadian military investigators are probing a fire at CFB Wainwright that killed four soldiers and injured 39 others, after early reports suggested a training munition may have sparked it.
The fire started at around 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, during a training exercise at the Alberta base. Officials stated that a grass fire was already burning nearby, but it appeared far enough away for exercises to continue. According to Major-General Wade Rutland, a sudden shift in the wind then drove flames roughly one kilometer in about 30 seconds, overwhelming soldiers in the area.
Global News, citing multiple military sources, reported that a preliminary investigation pointed to a live training munition as a possible ignition source. Rutland said investigators had not yet determined how the fire started and cautioned that finding an answer could take weeks. Of the 39 injured personnel, 19 were listed in critical condition, eight were stable, and 12 were receiving outpatient care.
The military identified the soldiers who died as Sergeant Morgan Wong and Privates Shaun Farrell, Aidan Goulding, and Hayden Lykkemark. The Canadian Armed Forces stated there were no indications that the incident was related to terrorism. Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences and called the loss a profound peacetime tragedy for the military.