CFB Wainwright fire update: death toll 4, 27 remain hospitalized
Military officials were set to brief media Wednesday on a grass fire that swept through a training exercise at the Alberta base over the weekend.
Why it matters
The fire is one of the deadliest incidents at a Canadian military base in recent memory, affecting soldiers and a nearby Alberta community.
Officials were scheduled to give an update on a fatal fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright that killed four soldiers and injured dozens during a weekend training exercise. Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland of the 1st Canadian Division said Saturday's blaze started as a grass fire before a violent windstorm pushed flames toward soldiers training at the base.
The fire initially sent 39 injured soldiers to hospitals. As of Wednesday, officials said that number had dropped to 27, with 13 still in critical condition.
About 150 people gathered Wednesday evening for a vigil at a church in the nearby town of Wainwright, southeast of Edmonton. Attendees said prayers, sang songs and read aloud the names of those killed, followed by a moment of silence.
Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh said the past several days have been difficult for the community, but activities at the base have started returning to normal.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.