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'Wainwright stands with you': Residents line highway to support soldiers after fire

  • Bill Graveland

    Bill Graveland

  • Canadian Press

  • October 21, 2026

People are overcome with emotion as a convoy of government vehicles transports some of the soldiers involved in a training incident that killed four soldiers at CFB Wainwright, in Wainwright, Alta., on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

WAINWRIGHT -- Two buses carrying soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Wainwright were greeted by flag-waving supporters on an Alberta highway this morning, days after a deadly fire.

Many in the crowd of about 300 also held up signs thanking those troops, who were not among the injured, for their service.

One sign said: "Wainwright stands with you."

On Saturday, troops taking part in training at the base, southeast of Edmonton, were overwhelmed by a wind-whipped grass fire.

Four were killed and dozens were injured.

Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh says the town wanted to show support for the military.

Among the crowd on the highway were several soldiers from the base, some holding regimental and Canadian flags.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.