Four Canadian flags, one for each soldier killed during training at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, fluttered in the wind late Wednesday as a prayer vigil at the town's Church of the Nazarene got underway.
"I want to thank you for coming here this evening to honour those who lost their lives and who were injured," Evangelical Free Church pastor Isaiah Mast told the crowd of 150.
"Thank you for coming here this evening to pray and support those who gave so heroically during this tragedy, and for the family and friends who have been impacted directly through it all. You being here matters a lot."
Roughly 84 soldiers of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry were taking part in a field exercise on Saturday when strong and sudden winds whipped a nearby grass fire straight into their path.
Four soldiers were killed, and 39 were wounded. As of Wednesday, Premier Danielle Smith said there were 27 in hospital, including 13 in critical condition.
At the vigil, prayers were said and the names of those who died — 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 — were read aloud, followed by a moment of silence.
"These courageous soldiers willingly placed themselves in harm's way to secure our continued peace and freedom as Canadians," said Pastor Dan Marchuk of the Wainwright Pentecostal Assembly.
Wainwright Mayor Bruce Pugh said the past few days have not been easy for anyone. He hopes those in hospital recover quickly and said things have started returning to normal at the base.
"I noticed the cannons are firing again because they never rest," he said. "They never stop defending us and preserving our ability to gather in places like this."
Earlier Wednesday, residents paid their respects to the soldiers who were at the training area that day but were not injured.
About 300 flag-waving supporters greeted two buses carrying soldiers from the base along an area highway.
Many in the crowd also held signs thanking troops for their service.
"Wainwright stands with you," read one sign.
"Our condolences for your comrades and thank you for your service," read another.
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
During the highway tribute, two military helicopters flew overhead as the two Forces buses slowly drove past the crowd.
The mayor 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 it's always 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. Her father was driving one of the buses, she said.
The events of Saturday have hit the community hard, she said.
"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."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Bill Graveland | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.