Several weather conditions occurred simultaneously to ignite the fire that claimed four lives and injured 39 at CFB Wainwright on Oct. 17, a meteorologist says.
“Based on preliminary information, it appears rapid onset, intense winds may have played a significant role in the incident,” AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist Jon Porter said in an email.
That afternoon was breezy across eastern Alberta, but rapidly increasing winds connecting with a strong cold front “may have produced wind gusts” of 113 kilometres per hour, based on available data, Porter said, noting that low relative humidity also played a role in the increased wildfires risk.
Analysis of available weather radar data and surface observations uncovered evidence suggesting “a gust front” may have contributed to the rapid increase in winds, Porter said….