The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) says its investigation into the deadly grassfire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta could take between nine and 12 months, as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy that killed four soldiers and injured dozens more during a military training exercise.
The military’s Board of Inquiry will examine how the October 17 incident unfolded and identify measures to prevent similar tragedies. The investigation will proceed alongside separate inquiries involving the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, military police, RCMP, Alberta’s chief medical examiner and the CAF Fire Marshal. Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan has pledged to make the Board of Inquiry’s findings public.
Defence Minister David McGuinty said Wednesday that the formal inquiry had not yet begun, with military officials still determining its terms of reference and membership. Prime Minister Mark Carney previously confirmed that approximately 50 investigators were working at the Wainwright base.
The fire claimed the lives of Sgt. Morgan Wong and Privates Shaun Farrell, Aidan Goulding and Hayden Lykkemark. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith confirmed Wednesday that 27 military personnel remained hospitalized, including 13 in critical condition, while 12 others had been discharged.
The soldiers were participating in a high-intensity combat training exercise involving the Third Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, when a rapidly spreading grassfire engulfed members of Charlie Company. Military officials said strong winds caused the flames to travel approximately one kilometre in less than a minute after a sudden change in wind direction. A smaller group of 10 soldiers conducting simulated combat exercises with hand grenades was particularly affected.
According to military officials, a grassfire had already been burning approximately one kilometre from the training area for several hours and was being monitored by range control. The cause of the blaze remains undetermined, although officials confirmed that the flames crossed an established firebreak.
University of Alberta wildfire researcher Jen Beverly questioned why the exercise proceeded despite forecasts of wind gusts reaching 90 kilometres per hour. She explained that strong winds, combined with an approaching cold front and dry grass conditions, can cause fires to spread rapidly and unpredictably. Beverly suggested investigators would likely examine vegetation and fuel conditions to better understand the fire’s intensity.
Meanwhile, residents of Wainwright gathered along a highway Wednesday to honour the soldiers affected by the tragedy. Waving Canadian flags and applauding, community members paid tribute as buses carrying surviving military personnel travelled back to Edmonton under police escort.
The investigation is expected to examine the fire’s origin, weather conditions, training procedures and existing safety measures as the military seeks answers about one of the deadliest recent training incidents involving Canadian soldiers.
