Four people have been killed and multiple people hurt after a significant fire burned at a large training area on a Canadian Forces Base in east-central Alberta on Saturday.
Canada’s military says a grass fire was known well beforehand but not considered a threat.
Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland, in charge of 1st Canadian Division, says the grass fire was a kilometre away and considered sufficiently under control that training exercises were allowed to continue Saturday afternoon.
However, he said conditions — including a violent, sudden windstorm — sent those flames racing over the Prairie landscape at lightning speed, landing right on top of the soldiers.
CFB Wainwright is one of Canada’s busiest bases and is used mainly to train soldiers and prepare units for combat operations.
Acute Care Alberta said late Saturday that significant medical resources were needed to respond to the incident and that a “Code Orange” had been activated at several hospitals across the province.
The agency advised people in the Edmonton area to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department and urged those with non-emergency issues to consider other care options.
Fire crews were also battling flames raging between the base and the nearby town of Wainwright, which has about 7,000 people.
Firefighters faced a volatile situation. A windstorm hit large areas of the province during the day, with gusts up to 100 kilometres an hour. The wind toppled some trees and sent signs flying and garbage cans rolling down streets.
By 11 p.m., the Municipal District of Wainwright, on social media, announced the fire was being held and that property and critical infrastructure were protected. No evacuation order was issued for residents.
“A fire watch will remain in place to monitor the affected area and address any changing conditions,” the statement said.
The fire also disrupted advance voting for Monday’s provincial referendum on whether Alberta should hold a binding separation vote. Elections Alberta said two advance polling locations — in Lloydminster and Vermilion — were closed early and the ballots transported securely.
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