Fifth Canadian soldier dies from injuries after October grass fire at CFB Wainwright
Private William Douglas Dal Bianco has become the fifth Canadian soldier to die after a grass fire tore through Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on 17 October. He had been receiving medical care in Ontario and died on Friday, the Canadian Armed Forces said. Four people were killed at the scene when the blaze ignited during live-fire training by 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and was driven by strong winds; 38 military personnel were injured in total. As of Saturday, 24 remained in hospital and 14 had been discharged. Officials said an investigation found the fire was likely sparked by a grenade launcher round on the base’s grenade range, and that it spread about a kilometre in 30 to 60 seconds, taking many on the base by surprise. Firefighters on site knew of the blaze but could not attack it because the area was a danger zone that could contain unspent explosives; they fought it through the night while nearby hospitals were inundated. Prime Minister Mark Carney called it one of the worst peacetime tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil and offered condolences. Chief of the Defence Staff Gen Jennie Carignan said the armed forces were heartbroken, and Defence Minister David McGuinty pledged continued support for families and colleagues.
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