As per reports, a fire broke out at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, approximately 210 kilometres east of Edmonton, shortly after 1600 hours local time (2200 hours UTC) on Saturday (17 October).
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the incident as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for the Canadian Armed Forces on Canadian soil. The fire spread rapidly amid strong winds and was contained at approximately 2300 hours local time (0500 hours UTC on 18 October).
• The incident caused four casualties and 39 injuries, including 19 in critical condition, according to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. The injured included soldiers and reservists from the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry who were participating in high intensity combat training involving live munitions at the base’s grenade and attack ranges.
• The fire originated in a grassland area approximately one kilometre from the attack range before spreading towards the range administrative area. Major General Wade Rutland stated that uncommonly strong winds contributed to the rapid spread and changing direction of the fire.
• Alberta’s provincial health agency deployed 30 emergency response units, including 22 ground ambulances, six fixed wing aircraft and two rotary wing aircraft. Additional air ambulance crews were deployed from Edmonton, Saskatoon and Calgary. The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton initially declared a Code Orange emergency response, which was subsequently stood down.
Categories: Critical Infrastructure - Other
Share on WhatsApp
