Four Canadian Soldiers Killed and 39 Injured in Fire During Alberta Training Exercise

Four Canadian soldiers were killed, and 39 members were injured when a fire spread rapidly during a military training exercise at CFB Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday, October 17, the Department of National Defence has confirmed.

In an October 18 statement, National Defence named the dead as Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding and Private Hayden Lykkemark. The military said the fire began at about 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Wong was a member of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment serving with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Farrell, Goulding and Lykkemark were members of that Edmonton-based battalion.

How the fire spread
According to National Defence, members of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group were conducting live-fire training as part of Exercise APOLLO SHOOTER when a fire ignited. High winds allowed it to spread very rapidly and reach the unit administrative area. Military and civilian emergency services responded.

Major General Wade Rutland, commander of the 1st Canadian Division, told reporters the fire began as a grass fire in the training area and that its cause is under investigation, according to Al Jazeera. He said that day’s training involved grenades and live ammunition and that several activities were underway. “Uncommonly strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly and shift direction towards the range administrative area,” Rutland said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. He said conditions had been well within guidelines for most of the day. CBS News reported gusts of up to about 62 miles per hour, roughly 100 kilometres per hour, and said the fire crossed established fire guards before it was contained.

The injured
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on Sunday that at least 39 patients remained in hospital, and at least 19 were in critical condition, Al Jazeera reported. Patients were taken to hospitals in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. CBS News reported that some of the injured have severe burns and may need weeks or months of intensive care. Dr. Warren Thirsk, an emergency physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, said nearby hospitals were overwhelmed, according to Al Jazeera.

National Defence has not released a detailed public account of each member’s condition. Its figure of 39 injured members and the premier’s figure of at least 39 in hospital were reported separately, and the final numbers may change.

What officials said
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the nation is in mourning and ordered flags flown at half-mast. He described the fire as one of the worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime and said those killed and hurt were training to defend Canada, Al Jazeera reported.

In the National Defence release, which described the event as a fire-related training incident, Defence Minister David J. McGuinty said, “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the four Canadian Armed Forces members who lost their lives. Canada mourns with the entire Canadian Armed Forces community during this profoundly difficult time.”

General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, said, “We stand with them during this incredibly difficult time as we honour the service and dedication of our fallen. My thoughts are also with our injured members and their loved ones as they receive care and support.” She thanked first responders and medical teams for their response.

Lieutenant General Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, said the soldiers “were training to carry out the Canadian Army’s mission.” He added, “We mourn their loss and will never forget their service.”

Rutland said the soldiers of the 1st Canadian Division “suffered a devastating loss during a training activity” at CFB Wainwright. “The well being of our people remains our highest priority as we support those impacted, and work to understand the circumstances surrounding this incident,” he said.

What is still unknown
The military has not said what started the grass fire, what caused the explosions reported during the fire, or whether training procedures played a part. Rutland said an inquiry would take at least a month, according to Al Jazeera. CBS News reported that McGuinty said the RCMP is involved in the investigation, which he called “very, very active and delicate.” NordoVista could not confirm the RCMP role from a second source.

Link to Alberta’s vote
Smith said election authorities redirected voters in the affected area to other polling stations ahead of Monday’s provincial referendum, Al Jazeera reported. Municipal officials said no evacuation order was issued, according to CBS News.