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

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

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

One sign said, “Wainwright stands with you.”

“Our condolences for your comrades and thank you for your service,” said another.

Troops taking part in training at the base in Wainwright, Alta., southeast of Edmonton, were overwhelmed by a wind-whipped grass fire Saturday. Four were killed and dozens were injured. Twenty-seven remain in hospital.

The four killed were identified as: Pte. Shaun Farrell, 23, of Prince Albert, Sask.; Pte. Aidan Goulding, 23, of North Vancouver; and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, 19, of Langley, B.C.; and Sgt. Morgan Wong, 26, of Edmonton.

On Wednesday, two military helicopters flew over head as the two Forces buses drove slowly past the cheering crowd.

Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh said the town of roughly 7,000 people wanted to show support for the military.

“It’s a Highway of Heroes kind of thing in our own little community,” he said.

“After the incident, they continued on with their training and continued to do their jobs. And so I think the least we can do is show a sense of pride in them and appreciation for what they’re doing.”

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

Dolly Brooks and her husband were carrying flags. Her walker was also festooned with a flag and a yellow “Support Our Troops” ribbon.

Dan Brooks spent 33 years in the Forces, and the couple has lived in Wainwright for most of that time. The base is important to both of them.

“I’ve noticed from near and far and all over the world that we’re getting the support that we need and how we come together when we really need to,” said Dolly Brooks.

Her husband said always it’s painful when a soldier dies. “It’s not easy. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a soldier pass on and it’s never nice.

“You always just hope that there’s a learning curve from what happened here, so we can prevent it in the future. “

Rhea Lovely grew up in a military family and her father was driving one of the buses. She said it has hit the community hard.

“Everyone’s been kind of sombre. The whole town’s been really quiet, but we’re just looking to support our troops because they are our town,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter where they were from in Canada. They are still family.”

The outpouring of goodwill comes on the same day that churches in the community were preparing to hold a prayer evening vigil for those killed and injured in the fire.

Ryan Wood, pastor of the town’s Church of the Nazarene, said it’s important those in the military know they’re not alone. His church is hosting the vigil.

“They’re hurting. They’re struggling just like everybody else,” Wood said.

“We want to have a message that we’re together in supporting our military. We’re together in grieving. We’re together is seeking a sense of peace and even hope in all of this.”

Isaiah Mast, pastor of the Evangelical Free Church, said Albertans like to think they’re tough.

But they need to know that it’s all right not to be all right.

“These things will live with the person,” Mast said. “I think what we hope to do is to be available for those who are going to be wrestling with this for a few weeks.

“This isn’t something that just goes away.”

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

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press