CTV News Edmonton, Global News Edmonton and Edmonton Journal have reported:

An explosion and fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta caused an unknown number of deaths and injuries on Saturday. Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed the casualties during a late-night news conference in Ottawa, but said officials could not yet provide a number. The incident was still an active and delicate situation, he said.

“I’m saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base,” McGuinty said. He added that he could not recall a similar event in recent memory. The base is about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, east of the Alberta capital and just outside the town of Wainwright.

The Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence and federal partners, including Public Safety, were working with the Alberta government and municipal governments to coordinate support and establish what happened. McGuinty said officials would provide more information 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,” he said.

The Municipal District of Wainwright said high winds were driving the fire quickly through the area Saturday evening. The district reported that the fire crossed the base fence earlier in the day and was being managed south of Wainwright. An active fire area remained south of Township Road 44-0, while firefighting resources from multiple jurisdictions responded.

The district said emergency responders were working to “protect people, property, and critical infrastructure.” It established an emergency coordination centre Saturday night. There was no evacuation order for residents as of 7:30 p.m., and district information officers told CTV News Edmonton late Saturday night that the spread was under control. Parts of Alberta had wind gusts of up to 100 km/h, with wind warnings in effect across much of the province.

McGuinty said Wainwright residents were helping with hospital support and firefighting. Asked about danger from the fire, he said it “is still being monitored very closely. We’ll have more to say about that in due course.” NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System showed a cluster of active fires by satellite southeast of the town on Saturday.

Wainwright RCMP said they were called to the base at about 4 p.m. after a request for assistance. “Early reports were that there was a fire at a training area,” the RCMP said, adding it sent numerous resources. “Our initial involvement is winding down, though we still have resources available if needed.”

Acute Care Alberta said Emergency Health Services Alberta was at the scene providing care and transport related to the incident. STARS Air Ambulance dispatched two air ambulances, one from Saskatoon and one from Edmonton. A CTV News Edmonton camera recorded ambulances and medical personnel at Wainwright Health Centre, beside the district’s high school.

The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton was under code orange, a status activated during a mass casualty event. A doctor at the hospital confirmed to Postmedia that the alert was due to the explosion at Wainwright. The University of Alberta hospital was also under code orange Saturday night.

General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, said the military was engaged with federal, provincial and local authorities. “Our priority remains the welfare of our members, their families and their community, and my thoughts are with all those affected by this incident,” she said in a social media post dated Oct. 18, 2026.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said a serious incident had created a major fire at the base and that he was in close contact with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” Carney wrote. Smith called the fire “significant and tragic” and said it was affecting many military personnel; she said Alberta was in close contact with the federal government and Carney.

Alberta MP Dane Lloyd, a Canadian Army reservist who represents a riding west of Edmonton, said he had heard of “significant casualties.” “Please keep our soldiers, their families and the community of Wainwright in your prayers,” he wrote on Facebook.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, the MP for Battle River-Crowfoot, said he had spoken with Carney and McGuinty to offer support to people on the base and in the community. “Thank you to the brave firefighters and emergency responders working to save lives,” he said. He also urged people in the area to follow local emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province had sent emergency help to Alberta and was “ready to provide more if required.” B.C. Premier David Eby said his province had offered Alberta all possible assistance and asked people to hold military members, their families and emergency crews in their hearts.

The base is one of Canada’s busiest military training facilities. It is used mainly to train soldiers and prepare units for combat operations, and houses the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre, where military units practise operating together in realistic battlefield conditions, and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides basic infantry training.

The fire also disrupted advance voting for an Alberta referendum. Elections Alberta said it had been informed of the incident and closed the Wainwright Communiplex advance vote location. Voters were directed to the Border Inn in Lloydminster or Vermilion Elks Hall; ballots and materials from Wainwright were being moved securely. There were two advance vote locations in Electoral Division 86.