Explosion and fire at CFB Wainwright kill at least seven, dozens injured

newsOct 18, 202628850

An explosion and major fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alberta, killed at least seven people and left dozens injured, multiple news outlets and military sources reported. The blaze began in a live-fire training area and spread beyond the range, prompting federal Defence Minister David McGuinty to issue a statement and RCMP and base authorities to launch an investigation into the cause. Edmonton hospitals declared a code orange as crews diverted and treated a large number of patients, said Dr. Warren Thirsk, who described Wainwright’s health facilities as “completely overwhelmed.” The Municipal District of Wainwright later said a wildfire south of the town was being held, while officials urged residents to avoid the incident area so roads remain clear for emergency responders. The Union of National Defence Employees’ national president June Winger offered solidarity and support for military personnel, civilian workers and community members affected by the incident.

Bruce Arthur

@brucearthur.bsky.social

Whatever happened at the CFB base in Wainwright, Alberta sounds very bad www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

1832h ago

Dr Lindsay Tedds18

As someone who grew up on military bases, the minister’s language early was … well unusual and distressing

Bean & Sprout's Mom5

And this was Edmonton hospital a few days ago 😫 bsky.app/profile/theb...

Wendy the Woke4

So very sad. I know the base and the town well. My parents met at the base over 60 years ago. It’s part of the fabric of the town. My sister met her husband, a US soldier at the base. As a kid we spent summers there, riding bikes and walking between the town and the base. Broken hearted.

Isen Siel4

Tomorrow is going to be an absolute gut punch, isn't it?

Mike4

seems crazy they're not saying what happend...

JN Hall2

Seems like first report was "fire and possibly explosion" on training range at ~4pm followed by "weather making fire bigger" and "everyone stay away."

Quoting this

Rima I Anabtawi6

Please keep in mind there are families waiting to hear about the status of their loved ones, when sharing information.

Buffet Briefinity 🎃🎃🍬🍫6

This whole situation feels like the start of an alien invasion story or something with how they keep vaguely referring to it

Laura Lee3

Sending love to folks in Alberta. 💔

Alyssa Long2

This sounds really really bad, thinking of you all, Alberta. I hope you and your loved ones are safe 💜

Luke LeBrun

@lukelebrun.ca

New reporting from Global News: 7 deaths now reported at CFB Wainwright, according to multiple military sources. They tell Global there were heavy winds during a live training exercise on the base and something "somehow hit either a gas line or gas well" on the base causing an explosion

1011h ago

Quoting this

Luke LeBrun37

Maybe there is additional context I am missing here, but my initial reaction is I don't understand how live fire exercises are taking place on a military base with gas wells

no brain, only alison3

Well, I guarantee there will be some serious discussions about the locations of gas wells and lines around human settlements now, and likely a big push by some powerful people to change regulations in Alberta... Because there's no way to count how many hunters get close to wells/pipelines here...

Hon. Thomas A. Lukaszuk

@lukaszukab.bsky.social

Sending positive thoughts to all loved ones of the injured and casualties in Wainwright. Gratitude to the first responders. All Canadians are with you during this unimaginably difficult time. #ableg #wainwright #cdnpoli

1184h ago

Olga Nesterova

@onestpress.onestnetwork.com

Local reports say an artillery round may have struck a natural gas well during live-fire training at CFB Wainwright, triggering a massive blast and secondary explosions. Fatalities and injuries are confirmed, but the cause and casualty count remain unverified.

742h ago

Lucie🐈‍⬛Catnip

@luciecatnip.bsky.social

MAGA is already spreading conspiracy theories about the incident at #Wainwright because Alberta referendum voting is happening on Monday so these sick people think a fire at a Canadian Forces Base will somehow affect the vote. I'm so fucking tired of these lunatics. Crawl back into your holes.

934h ago

Courtney Theriault

@ctheriault.bsky.social

Just an insane, tragic set of dominos resulting in an significant loss of life at CFB Wainwright. globalnews.ca/news/1210670...

431h ago

Quoting this

Janet 🇨🇦2

‘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.’ 😔🇨🇦 firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/usfs/map/#d:...

Sharon 🪳🌹

@sharonk.bsky.social

prayers and well wishes for all those at CFB Wainwright

612h ago

Nora Loreto

@nolore.bsky.social

If the reports about the CFB Wainwright explosion being caused by firing around a gas line triggering a forest fire, I'm not sure that Canada is ready for such an obvious metaphor.

432h ago

Anyanka1

The oilers are posting condolences and the rapist supporters are mad that the people against the signing of rapists dont care.

clnzjay 🇨🇦🇪🇺 | An EU Associate-in-Waiting

@clnz.bsky.social

The scale of this tragedy at CFB Wainwright is becoming clearer. Edmonton hospitals are mobilizing to deal with a high number of patients, and Wainwright’s health-care facilities have been overwhelmed. “It’s a disaster,” says an Edmonton emergency physician. 😰 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

142h ago

Dr Lindsay Tedds

@lindsaytedds.bsky.social

Delicate indeed. As we enter the home stretch for the referendum, we will now face questions about who approved or tolerated the well, who mapped it into the range danger area, and who set the fire plan for the shoot in a 100 km/h wind warning. globalnews.ca/news/1210670...

141h ago

The Breakdown AB

@thebreakdownab.bsky.social

“A live-fire training exercise hit a gas line or gas well on the base causing an explosion around 4 p.m. MT, multiple Canadian Armed Forcessources told Global News.” globalnews.ca/news/1210670...

91h ago

Darth Kater🇨🇦

@darthkater.bsky.social

Hey, Alberta! This is a VERY good time to call Canadian Blood Services to donate #blood and #plasma! 🟥🩸 🟥 🅾️🅰️🆎🅱️ 💉 🪖🏥. With the number of casualties at CFB Wainwright and the code Orange called at numerous overwhelmed Alberta trauma centres, the blood/plasma supply needs donations! #Alberta #Canada

61h ago

FF-Suze

@suze-bsky.bsky.social

💔💔💔 Sending love and positive energy to #Alberta and our brave men and women at #Wainwright www.cp24.com/news/canada/...

125h ago

Ivan DeLisle

@eyedawg.bsky.social

CFB Wainwright via CBC: "Thirsk said a code orange has been declared in Edmonton, a disaster response protocol that he said was required to help care for a high number of patients being transported to the city’s hospitals from Wainwright. "

62h ago

Veterans Against Trump

@vetsat.bsky.social

Follow-up info on the Canadian military base disaster. We send our love to our Canadian military brothers and sisters as they deal with this tragedy. ❤️🇺🇲🇨🇦

71h ago

3 sources

cbc.caCFB Wainwright principal base for live fire training - Multiple people dead, injured in 'disaster' at Alberta military base training area theglobeandmail.comMultiple people killed after explosion, major fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta globalnews.caDeaths and injuries reported after fire breaks out at CFB Wainwright | Globalnews.ca

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Explosion and fire at CFB Wainwright kill at least seven, dozens injured

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