Four Canadian Armed Forces members died and 39 others were hospitalized after a grass fire broke out during a training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.
The blaze struck on Saturday during a high-intensity combat training exercise using live munitions, according to the Canadian Armed Forces. Officials have not yet determined the exact ignition point of the fire, though Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland confirmed an investigation is underway.
The dead include Sgt. Morgan Wong, 26, an Edmonton-based member of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry who was preparing for a second tour in Europe after serving on Operation Reassurance in Latvia. Also killed were Private Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Private Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver, and Private Hayden Lykkemark of Langley, British Columbia. Thirty-nine service members were injured in the blaze, with 19 currently listed in critical condition.
The loss of four young soldiers during routine combat preparation hits a force already strained by persistent recruiting shortfalls and heavy overseas commitments in Europe. When a training ground takes lives before a unit deploys, we are reminded that the cost of keeping commitments abroad is paid in barracks and ranges at home.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.