Residents of Wainwright, Alta., grieving but resilient after tragic fire on army base

WAINWRIGHT — Residents of the central Alberta town of Wainwright are grieving after a vicious fire killed four men and injured dozens more at a nearby military base, but the community is handling the tragedy with a sense of military-inspired resolve, says Mayor Bruce Pugh.

“We haven’t been faced with the tragedy of this magnitude. I think there is a realization and a sense of strength that we’re able to gain from our friends and neighbours and those that we know that serve on the base, that this is what they do,” Pugh said.

“Their commitment and their perseverance and dedication is something that we see in them and attempt to mirror. And there is a sense of life has to go on.”

The community knows dangerous things happen at the base — residents have said they’re used to hearing explosions and gunshots from drills — but Pugh said the horror of Saturday is still sinking in.

“There’s getting to be more time from the event and now I think people are starting, the weight is especially pushing down on shoulders,” he said.

Pugh said he’s spoken with the volunteer firefighters who rushed to the scene and the Wainwright Health Centre staff who triggered the code orange alert and worked around the clock to save lives.

“I’ve heard words describing it as a war zone,” he said. “Bandages on the floor, they just couldn’t keep up on the things that didn’t need to be looked after. But by the time the morning shift came in, it was back to it was like it had never happened

“One of the nurses that I’ve known a long time pulled me aside and said, ‘You know, Bruce, we didn’t lose one of them when they were under our care.’ And that just … it hits you,” Pugh added, pointing to his heart.

The community is preparing to assemble Wednesday for a vigil organized by local faith leaders.

The Church of the Nazarene is hosting the vigil. Lead pastor Ryan Wood said the community is looking for a way to show their support.

“I think the community is grappling with this, needing a sense of peace, a way to come together and offer prayer,” Wood said.

“But also, I think there’s just a sense that we want to be able to do something and there’s not always a lot of tangible things that can be done.”

Pastor Isaiah Mast of the Evangelical Free Church said one member of his congregation is a nurse at the hospital who struggled with the aftermath.

“We were just glad we were able to talk with her and help her out,” said Mast.

Albertans view themselves as strong people, Mast said — but even strong people feel pain.

“We’re Alberta. We like to be strong and we are,” said Mast.

“And I think there’s something beautiful about that stoicism but we are praying. Our hope is that those who were impacted don’t have to pretend but are able to be vulnerable and be honest so that healing can happen.”

The flag in front of the Royal Canadian Legion in Wainwright remained at half-mast Tuesday. A pile of fresh-cut flowers covered the foot of the town cenotaph.

“It’s heartbreaking. My heart goes out to the families but we’ll bounce back,” said Sharon Pashko, 79, whose uncle was once commander of CFB Wainwright.

Pashko said the community, about 200 kilometres southeast of Edmonton, takes care of its own.

“We’ve gone above and beyond and I’m very proud of Wainwright residents,” she added.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been meeting with constituents in the town, which is in his Battle River-Crowfoot riding. He said that while many unanswered questions remain, people are coping.

“I’m just amazed how resilient and strong the people are. Nobody’s breaking. Everyone’s just putting their head down and they’re doing their jobs. It’s the best of Canada,” he said Monday.

“They’re obviously heartbroken. They see the loss of these brilliant young men in the springtimes of their lives but at the same time they bounce back and they keep working to support the living.”

Despite the temporary closure of the local polling station for Alberta’s referendum, a steady stream of voters continued to cast ballots Monday.

“A couple of friends of mine from church are in the military and I’ve heard, last night, that they were actually both in Latvia right now,” Dustin Degenhardt said after voting.

“I’m grateful that they’re safe, but at the same time I know hearts are here too.”

Degenhardt said the tragedy didn’t affect how he voted. Other residents shared that view, while some said the tragedy loomed over their decision.

Pugh said he doesn’t want Wainwright to be known primarily for the fire, but he suspects that’s probably going to happen.

“I’ve said a few times to my friends, ‘I want my boring, old, routine life back.’ And what I’m feeling is nothing. It’s worry and it’s concern. It’s not that profound sense of grief,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2026.