A major fire at a Canadian military training base in Alberta has left several people dead and others injured, prompting an emergency response involving military personnel, police and local firefighters, Canada's defence minister said.

The fire broke out in the training area of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright at around 4 p.m. local time on Saturday, October 17, before spreading rapidly beyond the training area, according to the Department of National Defence.

Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed the deaths and injuries but did not disclose an official casualty count or the cause of the incident, describing the situation as “very, very active and delicate.”

Canadian broadcaster Global News reported that at least seven people had been killed and dozens injured after a gas line or gas well was reportedly struck during a live-fire training exercise. The report cited unnamed military sources, and the account has not been officially confirmed.

Strong winds, with gusts reaching 100 kilometres per hour, hampered firefighting efforts as the blaze spread beyond the base's perimeter into surrounding rural areas.

Emergency crews from multiple jurisdictions responded to the fire. The blaze was later reported to be under control, with authorities saying that property and critical infrastructure had been protected.

No evacuation order had been issued for the nearby town of Wainwright. Authorities urged residents to avoid the affected area, keep roads clear for emergency vehicles and follow local safety instructions.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is assisting the military with the investigation into the incident. Officials have not confirmed whether the fire was caused by an explosion or whether a gas line was involved.

The scale of the incident placed pressure on medical services in the region, with injured people transported to hospitals in and around Edmonton, approximately 180 kilometres from the base.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton declared a “Code Orange,” an emergency protocol activated when a major incident generates a surge of casualties.

An emergency department physician told CBC that the number of patients arriving from the incident was overwhelming local medical capacity.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, saying that casualty information would be disclosed after families had been notified.

Prime Minister Mark Carney described the incident as a “serious incident creating a major fire” and expressed support for those affected.

“Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” Carney said, adding that the federal government was working closely with Alberta's provincial government and local authorities.

McGuinty also expressed condolences to the victims' families and praised emergency responders working under difficult conditions.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the incident as a significant tragedy and confirmed coordination between provincial and federal authorities.

The Canadian Armed Forces said its immediate priorities were supporting affected personnel and their families, assisting emergency operations and determining the full extent of the incident.

CFB Wainwright, located southeast of Edmonton, is one of Canada's busiest military training facilities. It hosts the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre and the 3rd Canadian Division Training Centre, where soldiers prepare for combat operations through large-scale exercises.

The cause of the fire and the full number of casualties remain under investigation. (ILKHA)