Family says burned soldier faces a long recovery after deadly Alberta base fire

EDMONTON — The family of Trevor Flegel, a soldier burned in a deadly fire at an Alberta military base, says he faces a long road to recovery. Flegel, from Kitimat, B.C., remains in an intensive care burn unit in Edmonton with severe burns covering about half his body.

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

His family says he joined the Armed Forces in February 2024 to challenge himself physically and mentally. The military helped him grow and build lifelong friendships. Flegel was set to return home in January to begin the next chapter of his life closer to his family, the mountains and the ocean.

In an emailed statement Wednesday, his family said it had meant a great deal to get to know some of the young men and hear their stories about Trevor. They said those stories offered a glimpse into his military life and reminded them that, wherever he lives or whatever he is doing, he remains the same person.

The disaster is under investigation. Officials have said strong winds quickly pushed a grass fire into an area where troops were conducting attack training.

The Canadian Press first published this report on Oct. 28, 2026.