Sergeant Morgan Wong remembered as 'always there' for others after CFB Wainwright fire
Wong, 26, was one of four soldiers killed in a grass fire at the base during a live-fire training exercise on October 17. His family released a statement honouring his quiet leadership.
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Sergeant Morgan Wong, one of four Canadian Armed Forces members killed in a grass fire at CFB Wainwright on October 17, was an Edmonton native who embodied quiet service, his family said Tuesday.
Wong, 26, was born in Edmonton and graduated from the University of Alberta in 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce. He held certificates in real estate and civil-military leadership. He joined the CAF in December 2017 and deployed to Latvia with Operation Reassurance from October 2024 to June 2025. He was training at Wainwright to prepare for a second tour in Europe.
"He was an incredible person who was always there whenever anyone needed him," his family said in a statement. "He loved being active and spending time with his friends and family."
Wong began serving as a medical first responder with St. John Ambulance in November 2022. His family said he was training at Wainwright in preparation for potential deployment overseas, including Latvia and other regions.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by Morgan's death," the family said. "We loved Morgan very much and we are extremely proud of him. We are grateful for the support that the public has shown for the military community after what happened at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright on Oct. 17. Our thoughts are with the families of the other soldiers who were killed, and with those who were injured."
Three other soldiers were killed in the fire: Private Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Private Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver, British Columbia; and Private Hayden Lykkemark of Langley, British Columbia. Thirty-nine personnel were taken to hospital, with 19 in critical condition as of Tuesday morning. As of Tuesday, 33 remained hospitalized, according to Defence Minister David McGuinty.
Major-General Wade Rutland, commander of 1st Canadian Division, said the soldiers were involved in a training exercise with live munitions in preparation for potential overseas deployment. An investigation is ongoing into how the fire started and how the incident unfolded.
The facts
How old was Sergeant Morgan Wong?
Sergeant Morgan Wong was 26 years old.
When did the grass fire at CFB Wainwright occur?
The grass fire at CFB Wainwright occurred on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during a live-fire training exercise.
Where was Sergeant Wong deployed before his death?
Sergeant Morgan Wong deployed to Latvia with Operation Reassurance from October 2024 to June 2025.
How many soldiers were killed in the CFB Wainwright fire?
Four Canadian Armed Forces members were killed in the grass fire at CFB Wainwright: Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding, and Private Hayden Lykkemark.
