Canada’s defense minister said Saturday that people were killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that caused a major fire.
It’s unclear how many people were killed or injured, but a doctor at a hospital in the city of Edmonton, 190 kilometers northwest, told Canada’s national broadcaster that patients were being rushed to the city’s hospitals while health care facilities around the base were “completely overwhelmed” by the number of people needing care.
“This number of patients would overwhelm the city of Edmonton,” Dr. Warren Thirsk, an emergency physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, told CBC News. “There are more patients than we want to count right now. It’s a disaster. It’s a 15 to 25 year disaster.”
“I am saddened to report that there have been deaths and injuries following an incident on the base,” said Defense Minister David McGuinty.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP 
The incident occurred at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, located approximately 112 miles southeast of Edmonton.
“We are dealing with a serious incident at CFB Wainwright and we are fully engaged with federal, provincial and local authorities,” said General Jennie Carignan, Chief of Defense Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces, in a social media post. “Our priority remains the well-being of our members, their families and their community, and my thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.”
The firefighters were faced with an unstable situation. Large areas of the province were hit during the day by a windstorm with gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour. The wind toppled some trees and caused signs to fly and trash cans to roll through the streets.
Around 11 p.m., the Municipal District of Wainwright said on social media that the fire was under control and properties and critical infrastructure were protected. No evacuation orders have been issued for residents.
McGuinty said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in the investigation and described the situation as “very, very active and delicate.”
“I certainly don’t recall any such incident in my short time as minister, but I can’t recall an incident like this in recent memory,” McGuinty said.
The Canadian Armed Forces and federal, provincial and local authorities were coordinating the emergency response, he said. The neighboring community of Wainwright provided hospital and firefighting support.
“Our hearts go out to all the brave women and men affected,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier in a social media post.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the fire “significant and tragic” and said it was affecting many military personnel.
Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is one of the busiest military training bases in Canada, where soldiers prepare for combat operations. It is home to the Canadian Maneuver Training Centre, which conducts realistic battlefield exercises, as well as the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, which provides military training.
McGuinty said authorities are still working to determine what happened and hope to provide more information.
“We will have more to say in the hours and days to come,” he added.
John Ulan/The Canadian Press via AP 
Carney said the federal government is working closely with Alberta officials and local authorities. He said he and Smith were in close contact, as were their ministers and officials.
Smith thanked first responders and those providing care and support to those affected.
Canadian Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defense minister to offer support to those affected by the fire.
“Pray for Wainwright, everyone,” Poilievre said in a social media post. He urged area residents to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders.
Neither Carney nor Smith provided details on the cause of the fire or if anyone was injured.
The fire came days before the province was to vote on launching a process that could lead to its quest for independence from Canada.
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