17 Oct 2026: Major fire at CFB Wainwright

[MilEME09]

Some sat images coming out of how big the fire got. Large section of the PDA got burnt

https://twitter.com/x/status/2112609763372782047

 

[mariomike]

Saw this from a colleague in New York.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2112559729868513487

Best of the Star | The Star

Thestar.com is one of Canada’s largest online news sites.

www.thestar.com

 

[Underway]

I was in the main SEASPAN yard today. The giant Canadian flag on the jetty was half mast. One supervisor told me "we got you bro" no context needed.

Made me realize that even though we are the last responders, the civi side has our backs big time on this one. Situation was reversed and they didn't hesitate.

These old eyes, foggy suddenly.

 

[KTown Cowboy]

Just received this email from my CoC on behalf of the CDS:


Colleagues,


On 21 October at 1100 local, all Commands, Formations, Bases, Wings, Units and Detachments are to observe a two-minute period of silence in remembrance of the tragic events that unfolded at CFB Wainwright.


The observance will provide CAF members and the broader Defence Team an opportunity to:

• Honour the four CAF members who lost their lives;
• Keep in our thoughts those who remain in critical condition and continue their recovery;
• Recognize the profound impact of this tragedy on families, friends, colleagues, caregivers, and the communities affected; and
• Reflect on our collective commitment to supporting one another during this difficult period.

It is a moment to pause as one team, to reflect on the service of those we have lost, to support those who continue to suffer and to reaffirm our commitment to one another during this difficult time.



While local circumstances and operational requirements will vary, leaders should consider conducting the observance as a collective activity rather than as an individual pause wherever practicable. At a minimum, organizations are encouraged to gather personnel in a manner appropriate to their setting, provide an opportunity for reflection, and mark the moment with visible acts of remembrance. This may include remarks from the commander and senior leadership team, and a spiritual reflection offered by a chaplain or faith representative where available. The intent is not to prescribe a uniform ceremony, but rather to ensure members have a meaningful opportunity to come together, remember those we have lost, support those affected, and reflect on the impact of the tragedy on the wider military family.



Thank you for your support in ensuring this moment is observed with the dignity, respect, and reflection it deserves.

 

[The Bread Guy]

For the record, thoughts & prayers from Ortona via its mayor, given the PPCLI & LER's sacrifices there in WW2.

 

[mariomike]

Been 30 odd years since I lived in Alberta last so can't remember. I live/work in Manitoba now, in remote First Nations, and my nightmare is something happening like the mass stabbings that happened in SK a couple years ago or a passenger aircraft hammering in, especially somewhere where there wasn't many trained people. Trying to have medevac aircraft diverted for something like that would really mess up the air transport scheme of things here - I'd actually seriously consider asking for rapid calls to be put in to have CAF support for a Herc with medevac crew(s) based off the regional MAJAID plan (should they still exist). We had two light plane crashes where I used to work in the space of a year - one minor, other involved casualties. The fatal one was outside of my sphere and was handled by CAF resources.

The other issue here is this in rural Alberta - you were talking about a large municipal EMS, which much like the folks here in Winnipeg, doesn't see past their urban boundaries (ie the tip of its nose). Edmonton is roughly 90-120minute drive - IIRC correctly, transfers I'd done in my much younger days by road from where we used to bivouac to Uof A hospital was roughly an hour and three-quarters depending on traffic. Other major/majorish centres are Lloydminister (and it's not that major TBH), Calgary and Red Deer, Lloyd being fairly close, though the hospital is technically on the Saskatchewan side of the city. An MCI response in those rural counties/municipalities would likely come in the way of a multi domain response and likely coordinated at a provincial level, which could also allow to possibly bring in CAF resources by way of provincial call for Aid to Civil Power and there is 1 Field Ambulance in Edmonton, as well the Reserve Fd Ambs in Edmonton and Calgary.

Not sure what the protocol is in the rest of Canada.

Ours was Critical Care Bypass ( CCB ). Meaning the hospital was closed to ambulances.

I recall one of our PCP crews on the radio transporting a young man in severe respiratory distress . No advanced life-support paramedics were available . The emergency department - only 3 to 4 minutes from the house - was on critical care bypass.

The PCP crew was directed to transport him to another hospital 4 times farther away. He ultimately died despite PCP efforts to resuscitate him en route to the second hospital.

Now , our department mandates life-threatening/critically ill patients be transported to the closest hospital - regardless of bypass status.