Federal National Defence Minister David McGuinty says there are fatalities and injuries as a result of an “incident” at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright east of Edmonton. “The Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, partners across the federal government, including public safety, are working with the government of Alberta and municipal governments to mobilize all necessary support and working through the details of what actually occurred,” McGuinty said during a late-night news conference in Ottawa. The minister would not confirm the exact number of fatalities, saying that it is still a “very active and delicate situation.” “We will have more to say in the coming hours and days. At this time, our thoughts are with the families and with everyone impacted by this tragic event. And I want to thank, in particular, the first responders and everyone providing assistance at a very difficult time,” McGuinty said. The Municipal District of Wainwright says high winds are spreading a large fire fast into the area after the incident at the nearby CFB Wainwright on Saturday evening. Emergency responders were actively working to “protect people, property and critical infrastructure,” according to a social media post from the district. There was no evacuation order for residents as of 7:30 p.m. Earlier this evening, Dane Lloyd, an Alberta member of Parliament, said he was hearing there are “significant casualties” after an explosion and fire at the base. He asked in a social media post for people to pray for the soldiers and their families. The Department of National Defence said it was closely monitoring the situation but could not confirm further details. In a media release, Acute Care Alberta confirmed that Emergency Health Services were on scene for care and the transport related to the fire. STARS air ambulance says it has dispatched two air ambulances to Wainwright, from Saskatoon and Edmonton. The base is 200 kilometres from the Alberta capital, just outside the town of Wainwright. It’s one Canada’s busiest military training bases, used mainly to train soldiers and prepare units for combat operations. It’s also the site of the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, which prepares military units to operate together in realistic battlefield conditions, and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides basic infantry training. Officials say the fire crossed the base fence earlier Saturday and is being managed south of Wainwright. An active fire, however, remained burning south of Township Road 44-0. Prime Minister Mark Carney was also quick to comment on the situation, posting to social media just after 6 p.m. to inform that he and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith were in “close contact” as the response continues. “A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta,” he wrote. “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected.” Smith said the fire was “significant and tragic” and was affecting many military personnel. Elections Alberta said it was informed of the fire and has shut down the Wainwright Communiplex advance vote location. Voters are asked to instead go to Border Inn in Lloydminster or Vermilion Elks Hall. With files from The Canadian Press This is a developing story. More to come...
