Canada’s Defence Minister said on Saturday (October 17, 2026) that people were killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that caused a major fire.
Mr. McGuinty did not provide casualty figures or details about what caused the incident. Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions were responding, and no evacuation order was in effect.
The Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire crossed the base’s fence earlier Saturday and was spreading rapidly due to high winds.
“I’m saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base,” Defence Minister David McGuinty said. He said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in the investigation and described the situation as “very, very active and delicate. “A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier in a social media post. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as “significant and tragic” and said it was affecting many military personnel. Canadian Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defense minister to offer support to those affected by the fire.
The nearby community of Wainwright was providing hospital and firefighting support.
The Canadian Armed Forces and federal, provincial and local authorities were coordinating the emergency response, he said.
