Canada Forces Base Wainwright

 Saturday, Oct. 17

There was a horrible fire during a training exercise at Canada Forces Base Wainwright, Alberta's military centre. I wanted to track it.

Four soldiers are dead, 39 were injured by this fast-spreading fire. Not to belabour it, but to celebrate the heroes. The victims are in our hearts. The fire was spread by a fast wind, on a grenade launch site. Firefighters had issues getting close to it. After a few days, 36 remained in hospital, and as of Friday, Oct. 23rd, 27 are still in hospital. Others have been released.

Canada has 46 burn patient beds, as the graphic shows. The provinces (B.C., Ontario, and Saskatchwan) are helping Alberta. US Ambassador Hoekstra, after dissing us for weeks, and a week after the incident, has offered help from the US. A day late and a dollar short!

Ontario has sent a couple dozen specialized burn nurses from Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital, with a robust burn unit. It can take 2 hours to change bandages for patients, and nurses are working hard. 

After the fire, air ambulance helicopters took victims to Edmonton,  and Calgary, to get treatment. 

Hamilton has an excellent burn centre, as well. 

This is a device that is like a printer that makes fake skin for burn victims.

Wainwright Airport, near the fire spread in that dark image in the centre of the photo, between the airport and the green water of Jamieson Lake. Saskatchewan sent emergency vehicles, the distances are amazing, and they were so efficient. 

Thank goodness for those who run towards danger and do their part.

"A 23-year-old Canadian Armed Forces medic remains in critical condition after his mother says he repeatedly ran into the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright to save his fellow soldiers, continuing until his own injuries overtook him."