Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

Cadets from the Firefighter Introduction Recruitment Experience (F.I.R.E.) program will be conducting a live-fire exercise on the training grounds at Fire Station No. 6, located at 3309 Taylor Street East, beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m. on June 5, 2019. The exercise is intended to provide a hands-on learning experience to F.I.R.E Cadets on safely using a fire extinguisher.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes to advise members of the public that smoke from the exercise may be present in the area during this time. Currently, wind conditions are west-northwest at 29km/hr, gusting to 39 km/hr.

The exercise is expected to conclude by approximately 4:30 p.m. on June 5, 2019.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

At approximately 8:13 this morning, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting smoke and flame coming from the front of a house located at 1138 Avenue P South. One occupant was reported to have self-evacuated and left the scene.

Three fire engines, one heavy rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief were dispatched for immediate response. Two fire investigation units were later dispatched to the scene upon confirmation of a working structure fire.

Upon arrival of the first responding fire crew, a small bungalow with visible flame exiting from the front was observed. Additional information indicated the possibility of three large dogs remaining inside the house. Fire crews initiated an immediate attack from the exterior of the house to soften the fire, allowing additional crews to make entry through a side door and transition towards an interior attack. Firefighters shut down the gas line to the house, while utility technicians were requested to shut down remaining utilities. Multiple firefighters made entry into the house, locating and extinguishing a fire in the basement. The entire fire was controlled and contained with 30 minutes of the first arriving fire crew.

Fire crews used a thermal imaging camera to perform searches of each room in the house, confirming there to be no further extension of the fire, as well as no remaining occupants or pets. Ventilation was conducted using electric fans to clear the house of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide. Fire crews commenced the gross decontamination process upon exiting the house to begin cleaning their gear of toxins. 

The occupant that had left the scene later sought medical treatment at an emergency room for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries; this individual remains in hospital.

This incident remains under investigation with the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Police Service. It is believed to be suspicious in nature. A fire investigator has estimated damages at approximately $200,000.

Cadets from the Firefighter Introduction Recruitment Experience (F.I.R.E.) program will be conducting a live-fire exercise on the training grounds at Fire Station No. 6, located at 3309 Taylor Street East, beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m. on June 3, 2019. The exercise is intended to provide a hands-on learning experience to F.I.R.E Cadets on safely using a fire extinguisher.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes to advise members of the public that smoke from the exercise may be present in the area during this time. Currently, wind conditions are east-southeast at 24 km/hr, gusting to 34 km/hr.

The exercise is expected to conclude by approximately 4:30 p.m. on June 3, 2019. 

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

With dry conditions across all of Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Fire Department would like to inform members of the public of provincial resources outlining the current jurisdictional fire bans in Saskatchewan. Additionally, residents are reminded of the requirements and regulations when using private or public fire pits within the City of Saskatoon.

Currently, there is no fire ban in effect for the City of Saskatoon. A complete and updated list of active fire bans, as well as information regarding wildfire in Saskatchewan can be found here.

Residents must ensure proper safety precautions and regulations are followed, with consideration being given to nearby properties when choosing to have an open-air fire in a private or public-use fire pit.

Burn Responsibly:

• Your fire pit must be made of non-combustible materials, and
• Only dry, cut seasoned cord wood or charcoal briquettes are permitted for burning. Burning elm branches is not permitted.

Burn Respectfully:

• Nuisance smoke can negatively affect the health of some people; fires producing nuisance, drifting smoke must be extinguished,
• Open-air fires must be extinguished by 11:00 p.m.,
• Garbage, yard waste, plastic, manure, livestock/animal carcasses, and any material producing dense black smoke, including insulation, hydrocarbons, rubber materials, and painted or creosoted wood are not permitted to be burned, and
• Communicate with your neighbours; they may appreciate being notified of your plan to have an open-air fire in advance.

Burn Safely:

• Position your open-air fire pit at least 3 metres from any combustible materials, including structures, fences, and trees,
• Cover your fire with a protective spark screen that has openings no larger than 13mm (1/2 inch),
• The size of your open-air fir pit must not be greater than 0.61 metres (24 inches) by 0.61 metres (24 inches) by 0.61 metres (24 inches),
• Supervise your fire at all times, always having a water supply on hand to extinguish your fire when you are finished with it, and
• Check the weather and respect wind speed, electing not to have a fire with winds exceeding 15 km/hr.

As per The Fire and Protective Services Bylaw No. 7990, open-air fires are prohibited outside of the permitted burning hours of 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Electric, propane, and natural gas appliances used in accordance with manufacturer direction are not considered open-air.

Public-use fire pits by location:

The fire pits located within City of Saskatoon parks and along Meewasin Valley Authority trails in Saskatoon abide by the same time and burning regulations as outlined in Bylaw 7990.

The fire pits located within the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo are permitted to burn outside of the hours specified in Bylaw 7990; however, are only permitted to burn during the hours of operation of the facility.

The fire pits located within the Gordon Howe Campground are permitted to burn outside of the hours specified in Bylaw 7990. Visitors to the Gordon Howe Campground are encouraged to inquire with a staff member regarding the facility’s fire pit policy.

For all private and public-use fire pits, only dry, cut seasoned cord wood or charcoal briquettes are permitted to be burned.

REMINDER: for acreage and farm properties located within the bounds of the City of Saskatoon, burn permits are required prior to initiating a controlled burn.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Saskatoon fire department responded to a early morning garage fire at 215 Avenue E South. Trucks from # One hall, # Two hall, and a rescue truck from #Six hall responded to the incident.

The  detached garage that was located at the rear of this address was full involved on arrival. Fire crews quickly got the fire under control and the fire was confined to the building of origin. 

 Fire investigators are on scene investigating the fire. The cause of the is unknown at this time.

At 16:43 this afternoon, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a report of a truck pulling a boat trailer, and they had both slid into the river and become submerged. The incident took place at the public boat launch on Spadina Crescent.

The Fire Department responded with five water trained personnel and the Battalion Chief. Once crews arrived and assessed the scene, the decision to use rescue divers to hook cables up to the trailer first, then the truck, and pull them both out with the use of two tow trucks was agreed upon. 

The Firefighters were on scene for just over two hours, but working with the two truck operators, the truck and trailer were successfully and safely removed from the water and returned to dry land.

The cause is under investigation and fortunately, there were no injuries due to this incident.

Just before 2:00 PM the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a two vehicle collision at 33rd Street and Circle Drive. One Engine, one Rescue Unit, and a Battalion Chief responded.

On arrival, crews found one passenger vehicle on its roof, with one occupant trapped inside. The other vehicle was a motorcycle with one rider, in the middle of the intersection.
Fire paramedics began patient care on the motorcycle rider whom had sustained serious, possibly life threatening injuries. Another crew of Firefighters began to stabilize the scene and the passenger vehicle, in order to begin extrication of the lone occupant. 

The motorcycle rider was transported to RUH by ambulance. A Firefighter paramedic travelled with the ambulance to assist with patient care while enroute to the hospital. The occupant of the passenger vehicle was successfully extricated and appeared to have sustained minor injuries.

Fire crews stopped a gasoline leak and cleaned up all fluids that had leaked from both vehicles. Police remain on scene to investigate the cause of the accident.

It is best to avoid the intersection while the investigation continues. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a grass fire at 09:17 this morning. The fire was just West of Chappell Drive. An Engine, Brush truck, Tanker, and the Battalion Chief were initially dispatched.

First arriving crews immediately attacked the main body of the grass fire to gain control of it. A second Brush truck and Tanker were called to assist at the scene to assist with fire extension further to the West. The fire was contained, under control, and extinguished in approximately one hour.

No structures were involved nor threatened at any time. No reported injuries occurred due to this incident. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

Today, the Saskatoon Fire Department welcomes eleven new firefighters who bring with them a host of knowledge and experience as they begin their careers with the fire service in Saskatoon.

“Each of the eleven firefighters have shown great initiative through prior experience, community involvement, and the thorough recruitment process in preparing to join the Saskatoon Fire Department,” says Fire Chief Morgan Hackl. “Today we celebrate their significant achievement.”

In addition, all of these firefighters are certified Primary Care Paramedics. The Saskatoon Fire Department has committed to having every fire crew staffed with firefighter-paramedics. In 2018, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to 14,199 incidents; of those, 5,883 were critical medical emergencies.

These firefighters demonstrate our commitment towards enhanced front-line emergency care and the investment City Council continues to make in emergency services.

“The Saskatoon Fire Department’s ability to help visitors and residents of Saskatoon in a wide variety of emergencies makes our department a unique and fulfilling place to work. It also makes our city a great place to live.”

At approximately 1:55 this afternoon, the Saskatoon Fire Department received an emergency transmission over the radio from a Saskatoon Transit operator reporting a large grass fire in the area of 11th Street West and Fairlight Drive. 

One brush truck and one water tanker were immediately dispatched for response.

The first responding fire crew arrived in just over three minutes and observed a rapidly spreading grass fire that had extended towards nearby trees. The request for additional fire crews to attend was made; two fire engines and one battalion chief were dispatched to the scene to support firefighting efforts.

The Saskatoon Police Service was on scene facilitating traffic flow through the area; Fairlight Drive was closed to traffic while fire crews worked to control, contain, and extinguish the fire and any remaining hot spots.

There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.