‘Significant casualties’ after fire breaks out at CFB Wainwright, MP says

A fire at the Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in central Alberta has claimed lives and injured others.

Federal Defence Minister David McGuinty said on Saturday night he was saddened to share that people have died and been injured as a result of “an incident on the base.”

“At this time, our thoughts are with the families and with everyone impacted by this tragic event,” McGuinty said.

“And I want to thank, in particular, the first responders and everyone providing assistance at a very difficult time.”

The military base is about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton.

Alberta Member of Parliament Dane Lloyd said he’s hearing there are “significant casualties” after an explosion and fire at the base.

Lloyd, who represents a riding west of Edmonton, asks in a social media post for people to pray for the soldiers and their families.

A fire on the base was spreading due to high winds, according to the Municipal District of Wainwright. Much of Alberta has been under wind warnings all day, and guts of up to 100 km/h have been reported in parts of the province.

The municipality established an emergency coordination centre Saturday night.

An update around 7 p.m. said the fire south of Wainwright crossed the base fence earlier in the day and was being actively managed. The active fire area is south of Township Road 44-0.

Firefighting resources from multiple jurisdictions are actively responding, the MD said.

Premier Danielle Smith has also confirmed the incident, saying there has been a “significant and tragic fire” at CFB Wainwright.

In a post on social media, the premier added the incident has affected many military personnel.

She added that the province is in contact with the federal government and the prime minister.

Acute Care Alberta says EMS are on the scene providing care and transport related to the emergency.

McGuinty said the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence and the federal government will have more to share in the coming days.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also posted on social media that his thoughts are with all the brave men and women affected.

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.

We are working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities. Premier Smith and I are in close contact as are our…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 18, 2026

Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition and Member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot, put out a message saying:

FIRMS (NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System) tracks active fires by satellite and shows a cluster of them on Saturday just to the southeast of the town of Wainwright.

Elections Alberta says it has been informed of the fire, which impacts the Wainwright Communiplex Advance Vote location, which has been closed.

There are two advance vote locations in Electoral Division 86:

Ballot boxes and materials from Wainwright are being moved securely.

-with files from The Canadian Press