A national military family charity has launched an emergency fundraising appeal for families affected by Saturday’s fire at CFB Wainwright, which killed four soldiers and injured 39 others during a live-fire training exercise.

The Together We Stand Foundation said in a Facebook post Monday that donations to its Operation Emergency Fund will go to military families affected by the fire. The foundation said the fund, set up in 2021, works with Canadian Armed Forces chaplains across the country to get financial help to families in a crisis quickly and discreetly.

The foundation said the money could help relatives travel to be with an injured soldier, cover unexpected accommodation costs, arrange emergency child care or put meals on the table. Donations are being taken through the foundation’s online donation page.

Bow River MP David Bexte urged people to give blood for the injured. “At times like this we may feel helpless. We can help! Please consider donating blood,” Bexte said in a post on X Sunday. Appointments with Canadian Blood Services can be booked through the GiveBlood app or by calling 1-888-236-6283.

The four soldiers killed were Sgt. Morgan Wong of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, who was serving with the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and Pte. Shaun Farrell, Pte. Aidan Goulding and Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of 3 PPCLI, based in Edmonton, the Department of National Defence said in a news release.

Wong was from Edmonton, Farrell from Prince Albert, Sask., Goulding from North Vancouver and Lykkemark from Langley, B.C., officials said.

National Defence said members of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group from 3 PPCLI were doing live-fire training as part of Exercise Apollo Shooter when a fire started at about 4 p.m. Saturday. High winds spread the fire quickly until it overtook the unit’s administrative area, the department said.

Premier Danielle Smith said Sunday that 19 of the injured were in critical condition, Global News reported. Patients were taken to hospitals in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer.

“Alberta is mourning alongside the Canadian Armed Forces and the families, friends and colleagues of those affected by the tragic incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright yesterday,” Smith said in a post on X Sunday. She said flags at provincial government buildings would be lowered to half-mast.

Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, who previously served as Alberta’s military liaison, said in a post on X that “this tragedy is especially heartbreaking.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a post on X Saturday that Ottawa was working with the provincial government and local authorities. “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” Carney said.

“Pray for Wainwright, everyone,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a post on X Saturday. Poilievre thanked firefighters and emergency responders and said he had spoken to the prime minister and the defence minister to offer support.

Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner MP Glen Motz shared Poilievre’s message with a post of his own: “Please pray.”

National Defence said it is working to understand what happened. Investigators have said it could take weeks to determine how the fire started, Global News reported.

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