Alberta Training Fire Death Toll Rises to Five

A wind-driven grass fire swept through a live-fire training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on October 17, killing five Canadian soldiers after Pvt. William Douglas Dal Bianco died of his injuries at an Ontario hospital on November 13. The fire injured 38 service members, with 24 still hospitalized in the reports, and flames spread rapidly toward troops during the exercise. A preliminary account suggested the blaze may have been sparked by a grenade launcher, but investigators are still examining how it started and whether safety procedures were followed. Military police and a military board of inquiry are investigating the tragedy, while Prime Minister Mark Carney and other officials offered condolences and support to the families and injured personnel.