Grass fire

The burn area at CFB Wainwright south of the town of Wainwright, Alta., on Sunday. Four people were killed and numerous others injured. (Photos by John Woods / The Canadian Press)

Earlier Sunday in Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney called it one of the “worst tragedies for the (Armed Forces) on Canadian soil in peacetime.” Flags on all federal buildings were lowered to half-mast to pay tribute to the deceased.

CFB Wainwright is 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton. It is one of Canada’s busiest bases and is used mainly to train soldiers and prepare units for combat operations.

On Saturday, savage winds, gusting at times to 100 kilometres an hour, had been racing through the province, toppling trees, knocking out power, slamming signs and sending garbage cans and other debris skittering down alleys and roads.

Rutiland said the affected unit was Charlie Company of 3rd Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He said when the fire hit, the 84-member company was doing two exercises. Most were throwing hand grenades on a range while 10 soldiers were doing a simulated attack on an enemy when they found themselves suddenly caught in the path of the roaring fire.

After overwhelming the soldiers, the blaze then jumped the base fence and threatened nearby rural areas and the town of Wainwright.

Fire crews scrambled throughout Saturday night to contain it and, by 11 p.m., had it under control. No one had to be evacuated from the area.

Bruce Pugh, Wainwright’s mayor, said he regularly hears the booming sound of artillery and cannons being launched during training from the base, so he didn’t think much when his windows rattled Saturday afternoon.

“But what was different was that everything went silent after the rattle,” Pugh said in an interview Sunday outside his home, about five kilometres from the base.

“After that, we have friends who are physicians, nurses, (who) were hearing through personal channels that everybody was being called to help with a mass casualty event.”

Moments later, he recounted, came the sound of sirens and helicopters. The response was rapid and massive — 22 ground ambulances, six planes and two helicopters.

Paramedics load an injured person into an ambulance at the Wainwright Health Centre as injured military members are treated after a fire at CFB Wainwright on Saturday.

Just before midnight, Armed Forces medical staff members dropped through the inky black sky, their parachutes illuminated by flare lights as they glided to the ground.

Alberta health officials invoked a Code Orange on Saturday night for hospitals in Edmonton and beyond. Code Orange is a call for hospitals to essentially clear the decks, find staff and free up beds as necessary to handle a mass casualty incident. The alert was lifted Sunday afternoon.

Smith said flags at provincial buildings in Alberta would also be flown at half-mast in the days ahead.

The base is in the Battle River-Crowfoot riding, represented by federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Poilievre, speaking to reporters in Wainwright, said he has heard about incredible acts of bravery. Some soldiers, he said, ran toward danger to help and are now fighting for their lives in hospital.

“Please pray for Wainwright,” he said.

The tragedy comes as Albertans are to deliver their final votes today on whether it’s time to look at leaving Canada. In Edmonton, the deadline for was on the minds of pro-Canada supporters rallying at the legislature.

Rally organizer Gil McGowan, the head of the Alberta Federation of Labour, said it was heartening to see first responders from around the country jump to help.

“That is a reminder why we’re so much better staying in the Canadian federation,” he said.