CFB Wainwright Fire Death Toll Rises to Five as 24 Soldiers Remain Hospitalized

CFB Wainwright Fire Death Toll Rises to Five as 24 Soldiers Remain Hospitalized

The death toll from the October 17 fire at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in Alberta has risen to five after the Canadian Armed Forces confirmed the death of Private William Douglas Dal Bianco.

Dal Bianco died on November 13 at an Ontario hospital from injuries sustained during the fire, according to a Department of National Defence announcement released on November 14, 2026.

Twenty-four Canadian Armed Forces members remain hospitalized, while 14 others have been released from hospital.

The incident occurred during a military training exercise and left dozens of soldiers injured.

Who was the fifth soldier killed in the CFB Wainwright fire?

The fifth fatality was Private William Douglas Dal Bianco, a member of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

He died after receiving medical treatment in Ontario for injuries sustained in the October 17 fire.

The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed his death on November 14, expressing condolences to his family, friends and fellow service members.

National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan also issued statements mourning his death and recognizing his service.

Who were the five soldiers killed in the Wainwright fire?

The five Canadian Armed Forces members who died following the incident were:

• Sergeant Morgan Wong, 26, of Edmonton, Alberta.
• Private Shaun Farrell, 23, of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
• Private Aidan Goulding, 23, of North Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Private Hayden Lykkemark, 19, of Langley, British Columbia.
• Private William Douglas Dal Bianco, whose death was confirmed on November 14.

The five soldiers were serving with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

How did the fire start at CFB Wainwright?

The fire broke out at approximately 4 p.m. local time on October 17, 2026, during Exercise APOLLO SHOOTER, a live-fire military training exercise.

According to the Department of National Defence, soldiers were conducting training when a fire ignited in the training area.

High winds caused the flames to spread rapidly, overtaking the unit's administrative area and affecting personnel in the vicinity.

A senior military official previously said the fire began at an automatic grenade launcher range during routine training involving live grenades.

The rapid spread of the fire left soldiers with serious injuries, including severe burns.

How many soldiers are still hospitalized?

The Department of National Defence reported on November 14 that 24 Canadian Armed Forces members remained in hospital.

Another 14 members had been released from hospital.

The original incident injured 38 military personnel, in addition to the five soldiers who subsequently died.

Some of the injured members require extended medical treatment and recovery support. The military has not provided a complete updated breakdown of their individual medical conditions in its latest announcement.

Is the CFB Wainwright fire still under investigation?

Yes. Military authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is conducting a military police investigation, while a separate Board of Inquiry is expected to examine the incident and consider measures to prevent similar tragedies.

Investigators are examining the circumstances of the fire and the events surrounding the training exercise.

No final investigative findings have been announced, and the full conclusions about the incident should not be assumed before the investigations are completed.

What happens next for the injured Canadian soldiers?

The immediate priority remains medical care and recovery for the 24 service members still hospitalized.

The Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence have also expressed their commitment to supporting the families of those who died and the personnel who survived.

The deaths of five soldiers and injuries to 38 others have made the October 17 incident one of the most serious peacetime training tragedies involving Canada's military on Canadian soil.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on the recovery of injured personnel, support for affected families and determining the circumstances that allowed the fire to spread so rapidly.

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