Four Canadian soldiers killed as fast-moving grass fire sweeps Alberta base
publishers 59articles 69first reported 18 Oct, 02:08 UTCdeveloping since 18 Oct · 9 editions
Four Canadian soldiers were killed and 39 people were hospitalized after a grass fire swept through a live-fire training area at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said 19 of the injured were in critical condition.
Officials identified those killed as Sgt. Morgan Wong and Privates Shaun Farrell, Aidan Goulding and Hayden Lykkemark. The injured included reservists and soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, who were conducting high-intensity combat training.
Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland said the fire began in grass about one kilometre from an attack range. Winds that had been below 50 km/h intensified to as much as 96 km/h and abruptly shifted direction, driving the flames toward the soldiers. Rutland described an “uncommon, rapid” event in which the fire advanced about one kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds.
Military and civilian emergency crews fought the blaze overnight, and patients were taken to hospitals in Wainwright, Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer. The fire was later contained, though crews remained at the scene to watch for flare-ups.
The cause of the initial grass fire remains under investigation. Officials said there was no indication of terrorist activity, outside interference or involvement by nearby oil and gas infrastructure.
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the incident one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada’s military on home soil and ordered flags on federal buildings lowered to half-staff.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 7 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 25 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 59
- Source articles
- 69
- Given to the writer
- 8, 7 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 25 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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