Poland sends condolences over deadly Canadian base fire

Poland’s defence minister expressed solidarity with Canada on Monday after a grass fire at a military base in Alberta killed four people and injured 39 on Saturday during a training exercise.

Wainwright Municipal Airport, the day after a serious incident that resulted in a fire caused deaths and injuries, in Wainwright, Alberta, Canada, October 18, 2026.

REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

The blaze broke out near the range at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright while 84 soldiers from units trained for rapid deployment abroad were taking part in drills. A strong wind shifted the fire so abruptly that flames spread a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds. The cause is still being investigated.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on Sunday that 19 of the injured were in critical condition.

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on X that he had received the news “with deep sadness”. He passed his condolences to the victims’ families through Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty and wished the wounded soldiers a swift recovery.

“In these difficult times we stand in grief with the Canadian nation and the community of the Canadian armed forces”, he said, adding that Poland “stands in solidarity with Canada and its citizens in the face of this great tragedy”.

(jh)

Source: PAP