A fast-moving grass fire injured 39 others, prompting an investigation and memorials
On Oct. 17, a fire broke out at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright, a Canadian Army base in Alberta, resulting in the deaths of four service members and the hospitalization of 39 more. The fire travelled a kilometre in 36 seconds, engulfing the Charlie Company of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, who were participating in high-intensity combat training at the time. According to the Canadian Army, CFB Wainwright is one of Canada’s largest army training centres and plays a key role in preparing Canadian soldiers for deployment
In an update from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) on Nov. 4, of the 39 soldiers hospitalized, 25 remain in the hospital for ongoing care while 14 have been released. In the update, the Canadian Forces said, “all members and their families will continue to be provided with the full range of Canadian Forces supports available, including assigned Designated Assistants who serve as a vital direct liaison for members and their families.” The Canadian Forces are now looking at the road ahead, saying, “recovery will look different for each injured person and their family. Some may face a long journey ahead, but they will not face it alone. Ongoing support and services remain available to injured personnel, their families, and all CAF members as they continue to navigate the effects of this tragedy.”
According to Al Jazeera, the soldiers were split between grenade exercises and simulated attacks on enemy positions. A CBC News article reported that the fire started at the grenade range, but firefighters were not permitted to enter the area as it was too dangerous. Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland said unexploded grenades posed a significant threat to the firefighters if they were to have entered the area, and the fire risk had already been deemed low, so the exercises continued.
Maj.-Gen. Rutland said the affected unit was part of Canada’s “global response task force,” meaning they need to be prepared to be deployed anywhere in the world at any given moment. This is part of the reason why the unit continued training even though the fire was nearby: “We train in all types of conditions, because you don’t know where you’re going to operate,” Maj.-Gen. Rutland said.
According to CBC News, chief of the defense staff Gen., Jennie Carignan said investigations began shortly after the incident and seek to “reveal how it all happened.” In an article about the investigation into the fire, CTV News reported that the investigation into the fire at CFB Wainwright could take up to a year before releasing any findings. The CTV News article quoted a National Defence media relations spokesperson who noted, “while timings can vary greatly depending on file complexity, the typical Board of Inquiry investigation can take anywhere between nine to 12 months to ensure that its investigation is comprehensive and its recommendations are robust.”
Since the incident, several memorial services have been held for the four soldiers who were killed. A memorial in Wainwright on Oct. 21 saw around 150 people honouring the lives of Sgt. Morgan Wong, Pte. Shaun Farrell, Pte. Aidan Goulding, and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark. The service also held prayers for the injured soldiers who were still in hospital at the time, bringing ministers from seven area churches to lead the service.