Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 2:50 p.m. on May 2, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls alerting to a wind-driven grass fire in the area of Highway 14 West just outside of Saskatoon. 

One fire engine, two water tankers, two brush trucks, and one battalion chief were committed to this incident throughout its duration. 

Fire crews set up supply pools on scene as water tankers hauled water to the area. Changing winds challenged the efforts of fire crews; however, firefighters successfully protected several structures in the area and prevented them from becoming involved in fire. Fire dispatchers alerted a rail provider as tracks running through the area sustained damage from the fire. The fire was considered to be under control at approximately 4:49 p.m.

Firefighters extinguished hot spots throughout the early evening before concluding on scene and returning to their stations. There were no injuries to civilian or fire personnel as a result of this incident. 

A fire investigator has concluded the investigation into a fire that originated in a shed-like garage structure on April 29, 2020 in the 800 block of Avenue J South.

The cause of the fire has been identified as accidental as a result of the improper use of a portable space heater. Damage has been estimated at approximately $15,000 to the structure and its contents.

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At approximately 3:06 p.m. on April 29, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received internal radio communication from the Saskatoon Police Service reporting smoke exiting a garage in the 800 block of Avenue J South. 

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

Upon arrival, smoke was confirmed to be exiting a shed-like garage structure. Firefighters immediately pulled a hose line from the front bumper of a fire engine and began to flow water from an on-board supply. Utility technicians were requested to attend due to the concern of an arching power supply line directly above the structure. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes of the first fire engine arriving on scene. Fire crews used a thermal imaging camera to aid in searching the structure for occupants; no occupants were found and the fire did not extend beyond the structure of origin. 

A fire investigator is on scene working to identify a cause; a damage estimate is not yet available. 

There were no injuries to civilian or fire personnel that resulted from the fire.

At approximately 3:06 p.m. on April 29, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received internal radio communication from the Saskatoon Police Service reporting smoke exiting a garage in the 800 block of Avenue J South. 

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

Upon arrival, smoke was confirmed to be exiting a shed-like garage structure. Firefighters immediately pulled a hose line from the front bumper of a fire engine and began to flow water from an on-board supply. Utility technicians were requested to attend due to the concern of an arching power supply line directly above the structure. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes of the first fire engine arriving on scene. Fire crews used a thermal imaging camera to aid in searching the structure for occupants; no occupants were found and the fire did not extend beyond the structure of origin. 

A fire investigator is on scene working to identify a cause; a damage estimate is not yet available. 

There were no injuries to civilian or fire personnel that resulted from the fire.

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.