Wildfire Spreads to Military Base Driven by Strong Winds, Leaving 43 Canadian Soldiers Dead or Injured

A fire at a military base in Alberta, Canada, has left 4 soldiers dead and 39 others injured.

According to foreign media reports, including the Associated Press, on October 18 (local time), the fire broke out at around 4 p.m. on October 17 at a training range on a military base in Wainwright, eastern Alberta, resulting in 43 casualties.

The fire, which spread rapidly driven by strong winds, broke out while 84 soldiers drawn from various Canadian units were conducting high-intensity combat training using live ammunition, leading to heavy casualties.

Alberta health authorities stated that 19 of the 39 injured are in critical condition.

Another 8 injured personnel are in stable condition, while the remaining 12 sustained minor injuries, according to reports.

They have been transported to four hospitals surrounding the military base for treatment.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated that several of the injured suffered severe burns and will require intensive care for weeks or months.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

The Canadian military stated that there were no signs of terrorism.

Major General Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division based in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, said, "Military personnel at the site were aware of the fire hours beforehand, but continued the training believing the fire would be sufficiently contained."

The Wainwright military base is located about 210 kilometers southeast of Edmonton and is also used as a training ground for forces stationed in Edmonton.

Maj. Gen. Rutland explained, "When the wind direction shifted, the fire was 1 kilometer away (from the training area), and it was not normal for the fire to travel 1 kilometer in 36 seconds," adding, "Military investigators will look into the site conditions, including the need for changes to safety protocols."

It was reported that strong winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour blew across many areas of Alberta on the day the fire occurred.

The soldiers training at the site where the fire broke out were scheduled to take on a mission next spring to support Canadian forces stationed in Latvia.

Latvia is a Baltic nation bordering Russia.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the accident as one of the worst peacetime disasters to occur domestically in the history of the Canadian military, and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on federal buildings across the country.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.