Several people have died and many others have been injured at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, the Canadian Armed Forces confirmed in a statement dated Oct. 18.
The military did not release a death or injury count. It said the full impact was under assessment and it would withhold details about those killed or injured until next-of-kin notifications were complete.
National Defence said a fire ignited inside the base’s training area at about 4 p.m. MDT Oct. 17 and spread rapidly beyond the training area’s boundaries. Military and civilian emergency services responded to control the fire and help those affected, the department said.
The statement did not identify what ignited the fire or confirm an explosion or training accident.
“This is a profoundly difficult moment for the entire Canadian Armed Forces,” said General Jennie Carignan, chief of the defence staff.
Defence Minister David McGuinty said federal departments were working with Alberta and municipal governments to mobilize support.
Acute Care Alberta said Code Orange had been activated at several acute care facilities across the province to coordinate the response while also meeting routine emergency care needs.
The agency said significant resources were required from the provincial emergency medical service and Edmonton-area emergency departments.
Edmonton-area residents needing immediate emergency care for life-threatening illnesses or injuries were asked to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department, if at all possible, and seek care at another Edmonton acute care facility, the agency said.
People with non-emergency health concerns were asked to consider primary care providers, urgent care or Health Link at 811, the agency said.
At the time of its statement, Acute Care Alberta said extremely few emergency medical response units were available in the Edmonton area and acute care capacity was limited in several Alberta communities.
The agency said Code Orange coordinates resources across the health system when multiple patients with severe conditions need care at the same time. It emphasized that emergency services were available for people with life-threatening illnesses and injuries, with patients treated according to medical urgency.
The statement directed residents to an Alberta Health Services facility finder and emergency department wait-time information. Alberta Health Services said the wait-time estimates do not apply to critically ill or injured patients.
In an update posted at 10:47 p.m. MDT Oct. 17, the Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61 said the wildfire south of town was being held. Crews would maintain a fire watch to monitor the affected area for changing conditions, the municipality said.
The municipality asked residents to avoid the incident area and keep roads clear for emergency personnel and equipment.
It said its incident information line had closed and directed inquiries about loved ones to the public affairs office at 819-531-8618.
Elections Alberta said the Wainwright Communiplex advance voting location had closed because of the fire.
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