CFB Wainwright had established a rigorous fire safety plan prior to the tragic incident on Saturday, shedding light on the focus of investigators as they delve into the event. CBC News acquired a detailed 137-page document known as CFB Wainwright’s Range Standing Orders, outlining procedures for managing on-site fires and advising on optimal training times during fire season. Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland’s revelation that training continued amid a fire at CFB Wainwright before it escalated, resulting in casualties, raised eyebrows among some Canadians. However, both current and former military leaders emphasized that conducting training exercises in proximity to active fires is not uncommon due to the nature of military activities involving live ammunition.
Denis Thompson, a retired Canadian Armed Forces major general, highlighted the frequent occurrence of fires in training areas, emphasizing the necessity of being prepared for such scenarios. Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada’s chief of defence staff, affirmed that fires are a routine part of training exercises, especially in preparation for overseas deployments, acknowledging the inherent risks involved. The fire safety guidelines at CFB Wainwright stipulate that firing activities during high fire risk months should ideally be scheduled for the morning to minimize hazards before 10 a.m. The tragic blaze at CFB Wainwright took a fatal turn around 4 p.m., with uncertain origins.
Rutland mentioned that the fire broke out during a high-intensity combat training exercise involving live munitions. Despite the circumstances, the decision was made to continue training until adverse wind conditions caused the fire to rapidly spread into the training area. The investigation into the incident, headed by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service with RCMP support, includes a board of inquiry to examine the sequence of events and organizational aspects contributing to the tragedy. The extreme fire conditions prevailing on the day of the incident at CFB Wainwright, as indicated by expert assessments, raised questions about the timing of training exercises amid heightened fire risks.
