A fifth Canadian soldier has died from injuries sustained during a training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta last month. Pte. William Douglas Dal Bianco of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry died on Friday, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) said in a news release. He had been receiving medical treatment in Ontario following the incident.

Approximately 350 troops with the 3rd Battalion were taking part in a routine training exercise on October 17 when intense winds rapidly pushed a nearby grass fire through the group. The blaze overwhelmed the soldiers, then jumped the base fence and threatened nearby rural areas and the town of Wainwright. Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton, Pte. Shaun Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask., Pte. Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver, B.C., and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of Langley, B.C., are the other four deceased. The CAF said on Saturday that 24 members remain in hospital receiving treatment and 14 have been released.S1

Defence Minister David McGuinty expressed his deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow service members, saying the government remains committed to supporting the families and the Canadian Armed Forces community during this profoundly difficult time. In a statement on social media, Prime Minister Mark Carney said his thoughts were with those affected, noting that Dal Bianco and his fellow soldiers were training to defend Canada and "chose to safeguard ours." "That is service. Now, we serve them," Carney said.S1