Canadian military confirms deaths and injuries in CFB Wainwright fire; Global News reports at least 7 killed

As of 3:55 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026

The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed early Sunday that a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in east-central Alberta killed and injured people. It said it would not release casualty details until families have been told.

"It is with profound sadness that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) confirms the incident resulted in fatalities and injuries," National Defence said in a news release posted at 3:05 a.m. ET. "A fire ignited within the training area of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright, Alberta, at approximately 4:00 p.m. (local time) on October 17, 2026. The fire spread rapidly beyond the boundaries of the training area," the release said.

"Our immediate priority is supporting those affected and notifying next of kin. We will not confirm casualty or injury details until that process is complete," it said, adding that "the full extent of the impact remains under assessment". CBC News also reported that next-of-kin notification is underway.

The release gives no cause. It does not mention an explosion, a gas line or a live-fire exercise.

What Global News reports

At least seven people were killed and dozens more were injured in an explosion and fire at the base, Global News reported, citing multiple military sources. Multiple Canadian Armed Forces sources told Global News that a live-fire training exercise hit a gas line or gas well on the base, causing an explosion around 4 p.m. local time (6 p.m. ET). A fire then broke out and spread in wind gusts of up to 100 km/h, Global reported. Global did not name its sources.

National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP have not publicly released a death toll, an injury count or a cause.

Military and government leaders

"This is a profoundly difficult moment for the entire Canadian Armed Forces," Gen. Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, said in the release. "While casualty identification and notification processes are ongoing, I extend my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives". Earlier, at 10:02 p.m. ET Saturday, she wrote on X that the military was "dealing with a serious incident at CFB Wainwright" and was "fully engaged with federal, provincial and local authorities".

Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army, said in the release: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries resulting from this incident. On behalf of the Canadian Army, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy".

Defence Minister David McGuinty said in the release that federal departments, "including Public Safety, are working with the Government of Alberta and municipal governments to mobilize all necessary support. My thoughts are with the families and with everyone impacted by this tragic event".

At a televised news conference in Ottawa late Saturday, McGuinty said there had been "both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base" but did not give a number. "I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory," he said. "This is a very, very active and delicate situation". "We will have more to say in the coming hours and days," he said, according to CTV News. CBC News reported that he said the RCMP is involved in investigating.

What else officials have said

Earlier Saturday night, RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney, authorized to speak for the Canadian Forces, told The Globe and Mail that a fire was reported at the base around 4 p.m. and had extended beyond the boundaries of the training area. She said she could not confirm injuries or deaths, but said RCMP officers from around the province had been called in to help. Before the news release, a Department of National Defence spokesperson told The Globe and Mail that the department was aware of "an incident in Wainwright, Alberta" and would share more once it can be confirmed.

CTV News reported that McGuinty said an explosion and fire caused the deaths and injuries, though in the remarks CTV quoted directly he referred only to "an incident on the base". Earlier in the evening, Alberta MP Dane Lloyd said in a social media post that he was hearing there were "significant casualties" after an explosion and fire at the base, The Canadian Press and CBC News reported.

Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X shortly after 8 p.m. ET: "A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta. Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected".

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith posted on X at 8:15 p.m. ET: "We are learning of a significant and tragic fire at CFB Wainwright today that is affecting many of our brave military personnel".

Acute Care Alberta said Emergency Health Services was on scene "and supporting care and transport related to an incident at CFB Wainwright". STARS Air Ambulance said it dispatched crews from its Edmonton and Saskatoon bases.

Acute Care Alberta, the provincial health agency for acute care, said in a statement late Saturday that "Code Orange has been activated at several acute care facilities across Alberta" because "significant care resources are required to support this response, both from EHS-Alberta and in Edmonton-area emergency departments". Code Orange is declared when a mass casualty incident or external disaster has occurred, Global News reported. The agency asked Edmonton-area residents "requiring immediate emergency care for life threatening illness or injury" to "avoid the University of Alberta Hospital Emergency Department" and to go to the city's other acute care facilities if at all possible. "At this time, extremely few EHS-Alberta response unit[s] are available in the Edmonton-area, and acute capacity is finite in several communities across Alberta," it said.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with the prime minister and the defence minister to offer support to everyone on the base and in the community. British Columbia Premier David Eby wrote on X at 10:05 p.m. ET that "the BC Government has reached out to Alberta to offer all possible assistance".

Fire held; no evacuation order

The Municipal District of Wainwright said in an update around 7 p.m. local time (9 p.m. ET) that the fire south of Wainwright "crossed the base fence earlier today and is being actively managed." The active fire area is south of Township Road 44-0, and firefighting resources from multiple jurisdictions are responding.

In a social media update just after 10:45 p.m. local time (12:45 a.m. ET), the district said the fire was "being held," with a fire watch in place overnight, CBC News reported. Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh told CBC the fire had been contained and was not a danger to the town.

The district has set up an emergency coordination centre, but there was no order for residents to evacuate, The Globe and Mail reported. Residents were asked to avoid the area, keep roads clear for emergency vehicles and avoid the Wainwright Health Centre unless they have "a critical medical need".

Elections Alberta closed the advance voting location at the Wainwright Communiplex because of the fire.

CFB Wainwright, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) southeast of Edmonton, is one of Canada's busiest military training bases. It is home to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre.