Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 4:37 p.m. on July 10, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received communication from the Sask911 Prince Albert Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) alerting to a motor vehicle collision involving two passenger vehicles and a semi tractor-trailer on Highway 11 at Tamke Road. Two fire engines, one rescue unit, and one battalion chief were immediately dispatched for response. The Dundurn Fire Department was also dispatched by Sask911. 

Firefighters arrived to find a multi-vehicle collision with one vehicle having been pushed beneath a semi tractor-trailer and the other a short distance away in a field; confirmation was made that two occupants remained trapped inside the vehicle in the field while a single occupant from the other vehicle was being treated inside an ambulance on scene. The semi tractor-trailer is believed to have been stopped on the side of the road at the time of the collision; the operator was uninjured and did not require medical care.

Fire crews stabilized and de-energized both passenger vehicles and began the extrication process while firefighter-paramedics provided patient care inside of the damaged vehicle in the field; the entire extrication process was complete by about 5:29 p.m. with both occupants being successfully removed. All three occupants from both passenger vehicles were transported to hospital by ground ambulance with unconfirmed injuries.

The Dundurn Fire Department conducted fluid and debris clean-up on scene to ensure environmental protection. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Corman Park Police Service were also on scene to facilitate traffic control and gather information.

Firefighters have since returned to their stations to continue proudly serving Saskatoon and surrounding area.

At approximately 5:56 a.m. on July 10, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a fence on fire in the 400 block of Avenue I South. One fire engine and one fire investigation unit were dispatched for response. 

The fire crew arrived on scene in about two minutes to find visible smoke and a small pile of debris on fire extending towards a nearby fence. Witnesses on scene reported seeing a young person in dark clothing run from the scene prior to the arrival of the fire crew. Firefighters used a pressurized water fire extinguisher to mitigate the hazard and contain damage to a small section of the fence. The Saskatoon Police Service also responded to gather information and investigate witness reports of the potential suspect in this incident.

The fire investigator has confirmed this fire to be incendiary. Due to a prompt response and the quick action of firefighters on scene, damage was minimal and has been estimated at around $250.

At approximately 6:41 a.m. on July 10, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a pile of debris on fire beside a single detached garage. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for immediate response. 

Firefighters arrived on scene in less than three minutes; entering an alley behind the address, they observed the pile of debris and the garage to both be on fire. A quick attack was initiated using the fire engine's on-board water supply, bringing the flames under control within minutes of arrival. The fire did not extend to neighbouring properties and no injuries were reported as a result of this incident. 

A fire investigator analyzing the scene has confirmed the fire to be incendiary with damage estimated at around $5,000. Members of the public are reminded to report non-emergent suspicious activity by calling 306-975-8300; in an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Firefighters and the fire investigator have all returned to their stations to continue proudly serving Saskatoon.

The investigation into a small fire that occurred in the 400 block of Avenue E South on July 8, 2020 has concluded. A fire investigator has confirmed the fire to be incendiary. Damage has been estimated at approximately $1,000 and was contained to a section of the exterior at the back of the property.

The fire was primarily extinguished on arrival due to the quick and safe action of bystanders on scene. The Saskatoon Fire Department reminds members of the public to remain attentive to suspicious activity in their communities. Non-emergent suspicious activity can be reported by calling 306-975-8300; in an emergency, call 911 immediately. 

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This incident occurred in the 400 block of Avenue E South, not Avenue F South as was previously reported.

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At approximately 4:01 p.m. on July 8, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a possible structure fire in the 400 block of Avenue F South; the caller reported the vinyl siding at the back of a boarded-up and vacant house to be burning. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were initially dispatched for response.

Firefighters arrived on scene in just over one minute to find bystanders attempting to extinguish a small fire. The commanding fire officer cancelled the response of most fire crews upon confirmation of a manageable fire. Within minutes of arrival firefighters had extinguished the flames, declaring the loss to be stopped at around 4:14 p.m.

A fire investigator is on scene working to identify a cause. Firefighters have since cleared the scene and have returned to their stations to continue serving their districts.

This incident occurred in the 400 block of Avenue E South, not Avenue F South as was previously reported.

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At approximately 4:01 p.m. on July 8, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a possible structure fire in the 400 block of Avenue F South; the caller reported the vinyl siding at the back of a boarded-up and vacant house to be burning. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were initially dispatched for response.

Firefighters arrived on scene in just over one minute to find bystanders attempting to extinguish a small fire. The commanding fire officer cancelled the response of most fire crews upon confirmation of a manageable fire. Within minutes of arrival firefighters had extinguished the flames, declaring the loss to be stopped at around 4:14 p.m.

A fire investigator is on scene working to identify a cause. Firefighters have since cleared the scene and have returned to their stations to continue serving their districts.

At approximately 4:01 p.m. on July 8, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a possible structure fire in the 400 block of Avenue F South; the caller reported the vinyl siding at the back of a boarded-up and vacant house to be burning. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were initially dispatched for response.

Firefighters arrived on scene in just over one minute to find bystanders attempting to extinguish a small fire. The commanding fire officer cancelled the response of most fire crews upon confirmation of a manageable fire. Within minutes of arrival firefighters had extinguished the flames, declaring the loss to be stopped at around 4:14 p.m.

A fire investigator is on scene working to identify a cause. Firefighters have since cleared the scene and have returned to their stations to continue serving their districts.

At approximately 6:32 p.m. on July 5, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting multiple persons in distress in the South Saskatchewan River near the Gordie Howe Bridge and the Queen Elizabeth Power Station. Two fire engines, two water rescue units, and one battalion chief were immediately dispatched for response.

Both water rescue units deployed onto the river from an emergency boat launch as additional fire crews responded by ground to the reported area for visual confirmation. Upon arrival, it was confirmed that four females on two inflatable crafts were in distress and trapped against a concrete structure in the river; one of the females was observed to be in the water and unable to support herself. One firefighter trained in surface water rescue entered the river for recovery of the first patient; a complication with one of the inflatable crafts resulted in the firefighter making a second entry into the water for recovery of another patient; remaining patients were brought into the boat directly from the inflatable crafts. None of the four were wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs) or lifejackets when rescued. Water rescue crews also retrieved both inflatable crafts from the river.

The patients were medically assessed, provided emergency blankets and PFDs, and transported by boat to the docks at the Saskatoon Canoe Club before being further evaluated by ground ambulance and released on scene. All four were experiencing conditions consistent with fatigue and panic but were otherwise uninjured. This incident occurred due to high water levels, increased flow rates, and a lack of preparation and experience by the river users.

The Saskatoon Fire Department is urging members of the public to stay off of the South Saskatchewan River at this time; rapidly increasing flow rates and rising water levels have made recreational uses of the river unsafe. Updates on the status of the South Saskatchewan River at Saskatoon can be accessed through the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency website.

At 1157 hours, Saskatoon Fire Communications Center received emergency calls for a person in distress in the South Saskatchewan River.  The person was reported as being swept with the fast moving current towards the weir.  One fire engine, one water rescue unit, and the battalion chief were dispatched.   Medavie Ambulance company was notified to respond to the scene by the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD).

It was also reported that a person on a sea doo was attempting to keep the person from being carried further downstream with the current.

Water rescue 1 was on the river at 1203 hours.  The water rescue team retrieved the person where they transported the patient to Medavie's care.  Status of the patient is unknown at this time.

SFD has since cleared the scene, removed the water rescue unit from the river and returned to station to continue serving Saskatoon.

The river is currently flowing at a rate that is 4 - 6 times its average speed and it will reach peak flow by Monday, July 6th due to rainfall water being released at the Diefenbaker Dam. 

SFD wants to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the Water Security Agency is advising all persons to stay clear of the fast moving water at this time.  Enjoy the river from a safe distance.

The water security agency has issued the following:

South Saskatchewan River

The Water Security Agency (WSA) advises the public of rapidly increasing flows on the South Saskatchewan River with a peak inflow of about 1300 m3/s expected at Lake Diefenbaker on Sunday, July 5.  This is due to high amounts of rain in southern Alberta earlier this week. Upstream of Lake Diefenbaker, water levels are expected to increase by 0.75 m (2.5 feet) on average from today’s levels with some locations seeing an increase of 1.2 m (4 feet).

As a result, WSA is starting a spillway release at Gardiner Dam today (July 2) bringing total outflows to about 520 m3/s.  The spillway release will be increased to 300 m3/s on Friday, for a total outflow of 720 m3/s.

We anticipate having to increase the release to about 500 m3/s on Monday, July 6 for a total outflow of 900 m3/s, depending on how the inflows recede.  A flow of 900 m3/s will be near channel capacity upstream of the City of Saskatoon in the Pike and Moon lake areas.

Water levels are expected to increase, an average, by about 0.9 m (3 feet) throughout the system with an outflow of 900 m3/s.  However, some areas may see increases of as much as 1.5 m (5 feet).  No overland flooding is expected.  Water users are advised to move pumps and intakes and all individuals should stay clear of fast-moving water.

The average rate of flow is 150 m3/s. 

At 0337 hours Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a dumpster fire in the 100 block Avenue L South.  A single engine company was dispatched.  On arrival, they found a garage fully involved in fire that was also damaging a garage to the north and a shed across the alley.  Two additional engine companies, a ladder truck, a rescue unit and the battalion chief were dispatched to the scene. 

The heat from this fire ruptured the natural gas line to a garage to the north and fire crews worked quickly and clamped the flow of natural gas.  SaskEnergy assembled a crew to shut the natural gas off.  Two power lines were compromised from the fire.  Saskatoon Light and Power (SL&P) disconnected the power to ensure safety of fire crews and the public.  SL&P is working to restore the power.

The fire was brought under control at 0443 hours.  Fire crews have returned to their stations, put apparatus back into commission and are ready to serve our community.  No injuries occurred as a result of this fire.

A fire investigator was called to conduct a scene examination.  The investigation has concluded and the cause of the fire is undetermined.  Due to the extent of damage to the structure, it was taken down to the ground to reduce the risk to the public.