‘Long road’ for soldier burned in deadly fire at Alberta military base

EDMONTON — The family of a soldier burned in the deadly fire at a military base in Alberta says he faces a “long road to recovery.”

A statement says Trevor Flegel from Kitimat, B.C., remains in an intensive care burn unit in Edmonton, with severe burns to about half of his body.

Read more:

Flegel was among 39 soldiers injured in the fast-moving blaze that killed four others during a training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, southeast of Edmonton, on Oct. 17.

His family says he was looking to challenge himself physically and mentally when he joined the Armed Forces in February 2024.

The military helped him grow and create lifelong friendships.

They add that Flegel was set to return home in January to begin the next chapter in his life closer to family, mountains and the ocean.

“It has meant so much to our family to get to know some of these young men and hear their stories about Trevor,” they said in an emailed statement Wednesday.

“They’ve given us a glimpse into his life in the military, while reminding us that no matter where he lives or what he is doing, Trevor is still the same person.”

The disaster is under investigation, but officials have said a strong wind quickly shot a grass fire over to an area where the troops were in attack training.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2026.

The Canadian Press