Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) has taken a major step toward modernizing emergency communications with the successful launch of the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) system. The transformative upgrade will significantly enhance emergency response capabilities, contributing to faster, more accurate and more reliable service for residents across Saskatoon.

NG911 is a nationwide initiative that replaces traditional 911 infrastructure with a modern, IP-based system. While residents will continue to dial 911 for emergencies, the new system will offer a range of improvements:

• Enhanced Location Accuracy: Emergency dispatchers will receive more precise caller location data, improving response times and coordination.
• Faster Call Routing: Calls will be connected more quickly to the appropriate emergency responders.
• Greater System Resilience: A more robust and secure network will provide continuity of service, even during high-demand or emergency situations.
• Improved Backup Systems: Enhanced fail-safes will ensure uninterrupted service in the event of technical issues.
• Future-Ready Communication: In future phases, residents will be able to send text messages, photos, and videos directly to 911, providing critical real-time information to first responders.

“This technology upgrade speaks to our department’s commitment to our community’s safety,” says Deputy Chief, Rob Hogan. “In an emergency, every second matters. The new NG911 system equips our team with faster, more accurate information—helping us respond more quickly, make better decisions on the ground and ultimately deliver a higher level of service to the residents of Saskatoon.”

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has federally mandated that all 9-1-1 services in Canada transition to the NG9-1-1 network by 2027. SFD is the 20th Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in Canada—out of more than 200—to complete the transition.

At 7:30 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a house on fire in the 400 Block of Nesbitt Way.  Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  The first arriving fire crew reported the front of a house fully involved in fire.  All incoming fire crews were assigned their tactical duties.  At 7:38 a.m., the officer in charge of the fire scene called for more apparatus as a neighboring house and vehicles on the driveway were also on fire.  An additional fire engine, one ladder truck and the Fire Investigator on duty were dispatched.  Utilities at the scene were shut down for scene safety.  

The fire was brought under control at 8:19 a.m.  Fire crews have begun to be released from the fire scene to return to their stations and put equipment and apparatus back into commission.  Some fire crews remain on scene to monitor conditions and perform other duties.

Four occupants who were home at the time of the fire, evacuated safely.

Once the fire scene is turned over to the Fire Investigator, a cause and origin scene examination will begin.  

Further details will be provided when practical.

Please avoid the area to allow fire crews to work safely.

Update:  Fire Investigator has conducted a scene examination for cause and origin determination. 

Cause of the fire:  Undetermined due to extent of fire damage

Origin of fire:  Between 135 and 139 Boykowich Bend as fire involved both properties, fire extended into both interiors from the exterior.  Fire originated around waste disposal bins.  135 Boykowich had the most fire damage.

Damage:  It is approximated that 135 received $500,000 damage due to fire from exterior and 139 receiving $100,00 from fire damage.  

All occupants evacuated safely and were re-housed.  

The structure fire in the 800 block of 56th Street East is fully extinguished and fire crews have left the scene.

Although the initial report indicated a fire on the roof of the structure, the exact area of origin remains undetermined. The building is a total loss and a portion of it was brought down to aid in extinguishing the fire. Fencing now surrounds the fire debris and the fire was contained to the single structure.

A fire investigator will begin an examination of the scene on May 9th to explore the cause of the fire and determine a damage estimate.

Further updates will be provided as they become available.

A fire that started on the roof of a building in the 800 block of 56th Street East is under control, but fire crews are still working on the scene.

The building’s contents are highly flammable, which has made the fire challenging to combat. Crews are working to extinguish three main hot spots and are expected to remain on site well into the evening.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. While the value of the damage is currently unknown, the building is expected to be a total loss.

Further updates will be provided as they become available.

At 5:17 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call reporting a fire on the roof in the 800 block of 56th Street East on May 7, 2025.  Three fire engines, a rescue unit, a ladder truck and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  Heavy black smoke could be seen prior to the arrival of the first fire crew.  On arrival, fire crews reported heavy flame coming through the roof.  All incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties on their arrival.  Utilities were shut down for fire scene safety.  A safety officer was assigned at the fire scene.  

Our fire investigator is on scene at this time.

The fire is still being actively extinguished at this time. 

Saskatoon residents are expected to receive a notifynow test alert on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

notifynow is the City of Saskatoon’s public safety alert program used to notify the public in real-time of a safety situation. The municipal emergency alert system will be tested at 10:00 a.m. as part of Emergency Preparedness Week.

“notifynow alerts are only issued when there is an impending, escalating or occurring emergency situation in the city and immediate action needs to be taken,” explains Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization (EMO). “Testing the system allows us to ensure the system works as expected.”

In the event of an impending or escalating public safety concern, notifynow will send out a message to subscribers. When signing up, subscribers have the option of receiving messages by:

• SMS text message
• Voice call to a landline
• Voice call to a cell phone
• Email

Subscribers can choose one communication method or all of them. 

“We strongly encourage residents to create an account and provide their contact information to receive messages via text, email or phone,” says Goulden-McLeod. “It’s also important for residents to check their profile on notifynow and make sure their information is up to date.”

The national emergency alerting system, Alert Ready, will also be tested Canada-wide on Wednesday, May 7 at 1:55 p.m. The Alert Ready test message will be sent via TV, radio, and compatible wireless devices.

For additional information about Saskatoon’s alert system, visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow.
 

Emergency Preparedness Week (May 4 – 10, 2025) is an annual event held across Canada that encourages Canadians to take concrete actions to be better prepared to protect themselves and their families during emergencies. This year’s theme, Be Prepared. Know Your Risks. is a reminder that emergencies can happen at any time and being prepared is crucial.

Emergencies can happen unexpectedly. Knowing the risks specific to your area and being prepared can help individuals and communities respond more effectively to emergencies, reduce the risk of injury or harm, and potentially save lives. 

"An emergency can strike at any moment and being prepared can significantly impact our ability to respond," says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Saskatoon EMO. "Emergency Preparedness Week is a great opportunity to review your emergency plan, refresh your emergency kit and familiarize yourself with potential hazards in your community. Taking the time to prepare for potential emergencies not only equips us individually but also builds a stronger, more resilient community that can face challenges together."

Residents and business owners are encouraged to participate in Emergency Preparedness Week by taking the time to:

• Know the risks – Every community can have different risks. What are the risks for your home, your business, and when you are travelling? Knowing the risks and how to respond are part of being prepared.
• Make a plan – Develop an emergency plan tailored to your family or your business/workplace. How will you get in touch with each other? Where is the list of emergency phone numbers? Where do you need to go if you need to evacuate your home or business/workplace?
• Get an emergency kit – During an emergency, we will all need some basic supplies. We may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in an emergency.
• Follow trustworthy sources – Examples include the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Emergency Management.
• Sign up for notifynow messages – When a public safety concern arises, notifynow sends public safety messages to residents of Saskatoon via telephone, email or text message with important information on what to do, where to go and what to expect.

For additional information about emergency preparedness, visit: saskatoon.ca/emo. 

*Correction: There was one individual transported to the hospital by the ambulance service.*

Date and Time Incident was Reported:
February 18, 2025 - 11:09 am

Scene Upon Arrival:
Firefighters observed flames coming from structure on arrival, Incident Command assigned tactical duties to crew to begin suppression operations.

Action(s) Taken:
Crews advanced hose lines to apply water to the interior of the structure, while another crew began a search to confirm that no occupants remained inside. Fire crews also used positive pressure ventilation to remove any lingering smoke and toxins from building. One individual was transported to the hospital by the ambulance service.

More Information:

• The fire has been completely extinguished.
• The fire has been brought under control.
• A search confirmed all occupants safely evacuated.
• There were no injuries to firefighters.
• A fire investigator is on scene to conduct an examination to identify the cause, origin and damage estimate.
• Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

At 03:08 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a structure fire in the 2200 Block of 20th Street West by the Saskatoon Police Service.  Three fire engines, a ladder truck, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  First arriving fire crew arrived at 3:14 a.m. and reported heavy smoke coming the main floor of a single-family bungalow.  Flames were identified in the basement.  

All incoming fire crews were assigned their tactical duties upon arrival.  Utility companies were requested to shut down utilities for scene safety.  The fire was under control at 4:28 a.m.  

One occupant was home at the time of the fire and was found deceased.

Fire crews have returned to their stations.

Fire Investigators are on scene and have begun the fire investigation.

No further information is available at this time.  An update will be provided as soon as practical.

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) confirmed normal air quality and declared the scene all clear at 3:05 p.m. 

At 12:13 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a hazmat incident involving the accidental mixing of chlorine and muriatic acid. The SFD’s hazmat team was dispatched to the scene on Spadina Crescent and 21st Street East.

On arrival, the hazmat crew found the contaminated areas were evacuated. The release of chlorine gas was contained and the hazmat crew began to ventilate the area. SFD remains on scene to monitor the air quality. 

The ambulance service took two patients to hospital. Their condition is not known.  

At 12:13 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a hazmat incident involving the accidental mixing of chlorine and muriatic acid. The SFD’s hazmat team was dispatched to the scene on the 400 block of 20th Street East. 

On arrival, the hazmat crew found the contaminated areas were evacuated. The release of chlorine gas was contained and the hazmat crew began to ventilate the area. SFD remains on scene to monitor the air quality. 

The ambulance service took two patients to hospital. Their condition is not known.  

*The location of the incident has been corrected in the following News Release* 

At 9:29 a.m. on November 11, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call reporting an individual stuck inside a commercial recycling truck.  

The truck had completed part of its route on Clarence Avenue and 8th Street when a short time later the driver noticed a person in the back with the recycling materials. The truck then pulled off College Drive and parked in the southbound lanes on the 1100 block of University Drive. 

Firefighters met Saskatoon Police on scene at University Drive where they located the recycling truck. SFD’s rescue team proceeded to safely remove the individual from the recycling truck at 9:44 a.m.  

The individual’s care was transferred to Medavie at the scene. 

MEDIA: We have discovered a technical error and realized that you may not have received contact information:

Rob Hogan, Deputy Chief - Operations & Emergency Communications, Saskatoon Fire Department

Rob.Hogan@saskatoon.ca

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) has responded to calls for a house and garage fire this evening.

At 17:41 SFD received multiple calls about a house and garage fire at 408 24th Street West. On arrival SFD found a large three-story house with flames showing. Garage and storage sheds had caught fire as well.

Fire crews began an aggressive exterior attack on all structures and a second alarm was called at 18:02 bringing an additional engine and ladder.

The fire is now under control but crews will remain on scene for a couple hours to monitor.

The fire is under investigation, no injuries have been reported at this time.

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) has responded to multiple fires in the Mayfair neighbourhood this morning.  

At 9:21 a.m. SFD received a call reporting a detached garage on fire on the 1500 block of Avenue E North. Firefighters arrived and began to extinguish the fire. The fire spread to an adjacent garage across the alley on Avenue F North. Both fires have been brought under control. 

At 9:53 a.m. SFD received a call reporting a deck on fire on the 1400 block of Avenue D North. The fire was put out by the homeowner. SFD attended to inspect the fire and ensure all hot spots were completely extinguished.  

At 10:01 a.m. SFD received a call reporting a fence on fire on the 100 block of 31st Street West. SFD arrived and extinguished the fire.  

At 10:37 a.m. SFD received a call reporting another fence on fire on 29th Street West. SFD arrived and extinguished the fire. 

It is unknown at this time if any or all of the incidents are related. Residents are asked to report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) proudly welcomed its 2024 recruitment class during a private graduation ceremony this afternoon. 12 newly trained firefighter-paramedics were recognized for successfully completing the department's intensive four-week orientation program and were officially introduced as the newest members of the fire service. Each recruit received their badge and battalion assignment, marking the beginning of their career with SFD.  

All 12 firefighter-paramedics worked under the guidance of SFD’s Staff Development and Safety team to complete training in firefighting, technical rescue, hazardous material mitigation and community relations. The new recruits are also certified to the level of Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and are licensed through the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics. Their extensive training and experience have prepared them for operating effectively in high-hazard emergency scenes. 

"The safety and preparedness of our firefighters is paramount at SFD," says Anthony Tataryn, Assistant Chief of Staff Development and Safety. "Our four-week orientation goes beyond reviewing the basics. It rigorously tests recruits' capabilities, pushing them to adapt and excel in real-world emergency scenarios. This training ensures they are ready for the diverse and demanding challenges they will encounter on the job." 

"SFD responds to more than 25,000 incidents annually, ranging from routine to complex emergency incidents, says Fire Chief Doug Wegren. “The wide range of situations our firefighters face highlights the importance of having team members who are not only dedicated to serving our community but also possess a broad set of specialized skills." 

The new firefighter-paramedics will start their first shifts beginning October 21. 

Chief Wegren adds, “We are thrilled to welcome these 12 firefighter-paramedics to our team and look forward to supporting their continued success at SFD.” 

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) responded to a house fire on the 400 block of Avenue V South this morning. All occupants safely evacuated, and the fire was extinguished. The scene was transferred to the Fire Investigator for examination to determine the cause, origin and estimate of damage.  

Following the investigation, the Fire Investigator concluded that the fire was caused by an electric scooter. It is unclear whether the charging source or the battery was responsible. The estimated damage is $200,000.