Canada's Defence Minister David McGuinty has confirmed deaths and injuries from an incident that set off a major fire at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in Alberta, and said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was involved in investigating.

Fatalities and injuries at CFB Wainwright, Alberta. Asked if it was a weapons or ammunition explosion, Defence Minister David McGuinty said: "This is an active and delicate situation and soon to be an active and delicate investigation." @RebelNews_CA pic.twitter.com/y2MeOJy3xC

— Efrain Flores Monsanto 🇨🇦🚛 (@efloresmonsanto) October 18, 2026

"I'm saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base," McGuinty told a news conference in Ottawa late on Saturday night. He gave no figures for the dead or injured and did not say what had happened.

"We have, of course, Canadian Forces members. The RCMP is involved in investigating the matter. Our public safety officials are coordinating at this time," he said, describing "a very, very active and delicate situation" and adding: "I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory."

Wainwright RCMP said officers were asked to help at the base at about 4 p.m. MT on Saturday after initial reports of a blaze in a training area. "Any further details regarding the incident will come from the Canadian Armed Forces," the detachment said in a statement.

The Canadian Armed Forces said in a statement on Saturday evening that a fire was reported "on the range" at about 4 p.m. and had "extended beyond the boundary of the training area".

The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan, posted on X that the military was "fully engaged with federal, provincial and local authorities". She added: "Our priority remains the welfare of our members, their families and their community, and my thoughts are with all those affected by this incident."

We are dealing with a serious incident at CFB Wainwright, and are fully 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.

— General / Générale Jennie Carignan (@CDS_Canada_CEMD) October 18, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X: "A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta. Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected."

A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta.

Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected.  

We are working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities. Premier Smith and I are in close contact as are our…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 18, 2026

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith posted on X: "We are learning of a significant and tragic fire at CFB Wainwright today that is affecting many of our brave military personnel."

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Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote on social media: "Pray for Wainwright, everyone." He added: "I have spoken to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence to offer our support to everyone on the base and in the community."

The Municipal District of Wainwright said the blaze south of the town "crossed the base fence earlier today and is being actively managed," with gusts reaching 100 km/h across parts of Alberta. Crews were fighting it south of Township Road 44-0. The municipality opened an emergency coordination centre and said: "There is no evacuation order at this time." It asked people to stay away and leave the roads free for fire and ambulance crews.

STARS sent two air ambulances from its Edmonton and Saskatoon bases, and Acute Care Alberta said paramedics were on scene treating and moving patients. Saskatchewan sent resources and British Columbia offered help.

The base, about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, hosts the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre.

Department of National Defence spokesperson Suzanne Lalande said in an email that more information would be released once it could be confirmed. As of late Saturday, neither the department nor the Canadian Armed Forces had published a death toll, the number of injured or the identities of those involved, and no cause had been given. McGuinty said the government would "have more to say in the coming hours and days."