Gas explosion at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright kills at least seven A gas line was struck during a live-fire training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, killing at least seven people and injuring many more. The blast triggered a wildfire that spread quickly in high winds, and hospitals in Edmonton activated disaster and code orange protocols. A gas line was accidentally struck during a live-fire training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday, triggering an explosion and wildfire that killed at least seven people and injured many more. Sources told Global News that at least seven people are feared dead after the blast, which happened when the training exercise hit either a gas line or a gas well. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said officers were called shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday following reports of a fire in a training area at the base. Officials have not yet named any of the dead as authorities continue to contact next of kin.Defense Minister David McGuinty RespondsDefense Minister David McGuinty said he was saddened to share that there had been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base. He did not provide casualty figures or details about what caused the incident, saying authorities were still working to determine what happened and that the situation was very, very active and delicate. Emergency crews and military personnel gathered at the Wainwright Health Centre as injured military members were treated.Dramatic video showed members of the Royal Canadian Air Force landing by parachute at the base, with more than a dozen personnel parachuting into Wainwright and arriving at the local health centre to respond. Dr. Warren Thirsk, an emergency department physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, told CBC on Saturday night that the high number of patients being rushed to hospital had put the facility into a disaster response protocol.He said the number of patients would overwhelm the city of Edmonton and that is why they were clearing their decks and mobilizing to respond as if it was their own city. Thirsk added that it is more patients than any of us want to count right now, calling it a disaster and a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster.Edmonton Hospitals Activate Disaster ProtocolOfficials called a code orange response protocol in Edmonton to help care for the high number of patients coming from the base, while the general public was urged to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department. The Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire crossed the base fence earlier Saturday and was spreading rapidly due to high winds with gusts hitting as much as 62 miles per hour.Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions were responding, and no evacuation order was in effect. The mayor of Wainwright said he feared the tragedy was the largest mass casualty event his community had ever seen. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the fire as significant and tragic and said it was affecting many of our brave military personnel.Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X that a serious incident creating a major fire had occurred at CFB Wainwright, saying our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected and that we are working closely with the Government of Alberta and local authorities. He said Premier Smith and he are in close contact, as are their relevant ministers and officials.Prime Minister Mark Carney Offers SupportDane Lloyd, an Alberta member of parliament, said in a social media post that an explosion and fire has resulted in significant casualties. Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said he had spoken with Carney and the defense minister to offer support to those affected, adding pray for Wainwright, everyone. He urged people in the area to follow emergency instructions and keep roads clear for first responders.McGuinty thanked first responders and everyone providing assistance at a very difficult time, adding that more would be said in the coming hours and days and that thoughts are with the families and everyone impacted by this tragic event. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his province was sending assistance to Alberta but did not specify what resources were being deployed. The base is near Wainwright, Alberta, a town about 112 miles southeast of Edmonton, the capital of the province.CFB Wainwright covers roughly 235 square miles and is one of the largest and busiest military training areas in Canada. Forces often train in open fields or forested areas, or in buildings constructed to replicate fighting in urban warfare conditions. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in the investigation.