Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 10:01 a.m. on April 29, 2020 the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to an unknown substance at a mail processing facility in the 800 block of 51st Street East. It was reported that the package containing the substance was being shipped to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory. 

One fire engine, one haz-mat unit, one decontamination unit, one mobile command unit, and support officials were dispatched to the scene.

The commanding fire officer began contacting the shipper and intended recipient to obtain information on the believed contents of the package; upon making this contact, the substance was understood to be non-hazardous. Haz-mat technicians made entry to the facility to confirm the contents of the package; it was deemed non-hazardous.

The Saskatoon Fire Department and Emergency Management Organization have concluded and are deescalating operations on scene.

Firefighters have concluded on scene of a significant grass fire in the area of Highway 16 North and Range Road 3062 that occurred on April 28, 2020.

Throughout the early evening, two additional fire crews were dispatched to the area to provide relief to firefighters that had been working on scene from the time of the initial dispatch. At approximately 5:54 p.m. firefighters successfully positioned a fire break to stop the spread of fire; at this time the fire was considered to be under control. 

As this area is outside of the Saskatoon Fire Department's investigative jurisdiction, a confirmed cause and damage estimate will not be provided.

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At approximately 2:34 p.m. on April 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a controlled burn that had become unmanageable in the area of Highway 16 North and Range Road 3062.

One fire engine, two water tankers, two brush trucks, and one battalion chief have been committed to this incident.

Firefighters are currently working to extinguish a fire that has expanded across a significant area. Water tankers are being used to shuttle and store water until needed for use by the brush trucks. A farmer is assisting in controlling the spread of fire with the use of a tractor.

This incident is ongoing and an update will be provided upon conclusion of the incident or as new information becomes known.

At approximately 2:34 p.m. on April 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a controlled burn that had become unmanageable in the area of Highway 16 North and Range Road 3062.

One fire engine, two water tankers, two brush trucks, and one battalion chief have been committed to this incident.

Firefighters are currently working to extinguish a fire that has expanded across a significant area. Water tankers are being used to shuttle and store water until needed for use by the brush trucks. A farmer is assisting in controlling the spread of fire with the use of a tractor.

This incident is ongoing and an update will be provided upon conclusion of the incident or as new information becomes known.

At approximately 9:13 a.m. on April 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was contacted by a concerned citizen reporting an abnormality in the South Saskatchewan River; the caller believed the abnormality to be a possible body in the water. 

One fire engine, two water rescue units, and one battalion chief were dispatched to investigate the concern.

The caller was interviewed on scene and directed fire crews towards an area of River Landing. One firefighter-diver entered the water and dove on the abnormality; the dive produced negative results and it was confirmed that no further investigation of the area would be required.

The water rescue units are now off the water and fire crews have returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

At approximately 4:19 a.m. on April 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to visible smoke and the smell of fire in the Arbor Creek neighbourhood. The caller patrolled the area while on the line with fire dispatchers, providing an address in the 400 block of Kucey Crescent with a fire burning on the exterior.

Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, the home's occupants had already self-evacuated and the fire had been extinguished with a garden hose. Firefighters pulled open parts of the wall to confirm that the fire had not extended towards the interior of the structure.

A fire investigator has identified the cause to be accidental in nature as a result of the spontaneous combustion of soiled rags. The rags had been soiled with staining product when they were improperly disposed of in a household garbage bin causing them to self-heat and ignite. Damage has been estimated at approximately $4,000. 

After using rags, towels, or other applicators to apply paints, stains, finishing oils, or solvents, members of the public are reminded of safe storage and disposal practices by allowing adequate time for these items to dry in an open-air environment away from other combustible materials; once dry, place them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.