Four Canadian Armed Forces members are dead and dozens more are seriously wounded after a fast-moving fire swept through Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.

Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the deaths Sunday on Parliament Hill, a day after the fire broke out in the base's training area on Saturday afternoon.

"I regret that I can confirm at this time that four service members have lost their lives," Carney said, adding that their next of kin have been notified.

Go Ad Free

He called the fire "one of the worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime."

The prime minister did not identify those who perished or say what caused the fire. He said senior officials on the ground in Wainwright, including Defence Minister David McGuinty, the federal minister responsible for emergencies and Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland of the Canadian Army, would give a formal briefing Sunday afternoon, joined by provincial ministers and officials.

The cause is under investigation. The military says there is no indication of terrorist activity.

Carney said those affected came from bases across the country and included reservists and soldiers from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, who were training on the base when the fire hit.

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

Military and civilian crews fought the blaze through the night in what Carney described as "some of the worst conditions imaginable."

STARS air ambulance crews flew in from Edmonton and Saskatoon. Paramedics, nurses and doctors in Wainwright, Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary are treating the injured.

Carney said he and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have been in regular contact since the evening the fire broke out, with federal and provincial officials coordinating the response alongside the Canadian Armed Forces, local fire crews, first responders and Alberta emergency and medical services.

Prime Minister Mark Carney on the fire at CFB Wainwright, Alberta: "I regret that I can confirm at this time that four service members have lost their lives and their next of kin have been notified. Dozens more are seriously wounded." pic.twitter.com/2i7BmkZq9d

— Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) October 18, 2026

He has ordered flags on all federal buildings to fly at half-mast.

"Those we lost, those who were injured, were training to defend Canada, to serve Canada," Carney said. "And now Canada serves them."

He pledged the government would support the families "for as long as they need" and care for the injured "through every step of their recovery."

Carney also thanked Albertans who are giving blood and feeding and housing emergency crews.

CFB Wainwright, about 210 kilometres east of Edmonton, is described by National Defence as one of the busiest army bases in Canada.

The names of the four service members have not been released.