The Department of National Defence has released the names of those killed after a fire swept through the training area at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. They are Sergeant Morgan Wong, from the Loyal Edmonton Regiment based at Edmonton, Alberta serving with 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Also with the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry: Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding, and Private Hayden Lykkemark.
Read more here: Prince Albert family grieving as four soldiers confirmed dead in Wainwright tragedy. | Country 600 CJWW
Thirty-nine others were injured, 19 of whom are in critical condition.
A code orange was called at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton due to the multi casualty event. Victims were dispersed to Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, Wainwright as well as Saskatoon. STARS Saskatoon also aided in transporting the wounded in addition to ambulances from Saskatchewan communities. Wainwright, Alberta is approximately 55 kilometres from the Saskatchewan boundary.
The DOD says live fire training was underway at CFB Wainwright as part of Exercise APOLLO SHOOTER when a fire ignited. Maj.-Gen. L.W. Rutland (pictured), Commander of the 1st Canadian Division battalion, told reporters soldiers were undergoing a preparatory training activity at the CFB Wainwright when a grass fire broke out at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Rutland said the fire began a kilometre away when the wind shifted and within 30 seconds to a minute, troops were face to face with the blaze.
Strong wind gusts in central Alberta Saturday were attributed to a significant cold front that crossed central Alberta. Environment Canada says southern Alberta also experienced strong winds, but it was categorized as a separate event from the cold front. Peak wind gusts were recorded in Rosalind at 130 kilometres an hour. Edmonton recorded 117 kilometre an hour wind.
Environment Canada also says an intense low-pressure system with a strong cold front passed through southern and central Saskatchewan from Saturday afternoon into early Sunday morning (October 17 to 18), giving very strong wind gusts which produced reduced visibilities in blowing dust in some areas. Lloydminster recorded a peak wind gust of 98 kilometres per hour, Kindersley 91 and third strongest was Lucky Lake at 89 kilometres per hour.
The following Saskatchewan stations had wind gusts of 80 km/h or greater (in km/h):
Lloydminster: 98
Kindersley Airport: 91
Lucky Lake: 89
North Battleford: 87
Nipawin: 87
Leader Airport: 85
Prince Albert: 83
Watrous East: 81
Waseca RCS: 81
Meadow Lake: 80
Saskatchewan Fire Program stations:
Pelican Narrows:89
Fort A La Corne: 87
Maynard Lake: 85
Eulas Lake: 85
West Block: 80
Summary of Alberta peak wind gusts, in kilometres per hour:
Rosalind: 130
Edmonton Int’l Airport: 117
Fort Macleod: 112
Carway: 111
Bodo: 107
Edmonton/Villeneuve Airport: 107
Barons: 106
Forestburg: 104
Stavely: 103
Edson: 102
Hemaruka: 101
Lethbridge Airport: 100
Stettler: 100
Claresholm: 100
Vegreville: 100
Travers: 100
Esther: 99
Lethbridge: 98
Lloydminster: 98
Calgary/Springbank Airport: 98
Delburne: 98
Crestomere: 96
Coronation: 95
Red Deer Airport: 91
Calgary Climate Station: 91
