'Like a war movie': 4 killed, 19 critical after fire at Canada military base

A deadly fire at a Canadian military base during training exercises claimed four lives and left 19 individuals in critical condition, with dozens more suffering serious injuries. Witnesses likened the aftermath to scenes from a war film. The fire erupted at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday afternoon, as troops engaged in training activities.

Unusually strong winds rapidly spread the grass fire and redirected it toward the administrative area of a training range, where soldiers were present. Sixty patients were admitted to hospitals across the province, with at least 19 in critical condition, some requiring extensive weeks or months of treatment for severe burns. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the incident one of the worst peacetime tragedies on Canadian military soil.

A resident at the Wainwright Health Centre witnessed the emergency response and described the scene as "like a scene from a war movie," recounting people with burns, many of whom were left wearing only underwear. Ambulances and helicopters airlifted injured personnel to four hospitals in Alberta, including Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary.

Major-General Wade Rutland, commander of 1st Canadian Division, described the fire as highly unusual, caused by strong winds that altered its direction and spread rapidly. The Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating the incident's cause, which is not suspected to be linked to terrorism. Military flags will fly at half-mast in honor of those killed and injured.