The Canadian Armed Forces stated there is no indication of terrorism, while Carney did not detail the specific cause of the incident or the exact injury total. Earlier, military sources told Global News that the explosion occurred around 4 p.m. local time when a live fire exercise struck a natural gas line or well on the base, where approximately 180 wells were documented as of 2014. Wind gusts up to 100 km/h subsequently pushed the resulting fire past the base boundary.
The blast overwhelmed local healthcare facilities in Wainwright, prompting the military to parachute personnel into the local medical center and forcing regional hospitals in Edmonton to mobilize for the influx of burn victims. At least three helicopters and four fixed wing aircraft made multiple trips transporting patients to larger cities.