Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At 1:15 p.m. on July 18, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call that a structure was on fire in the 400 block of Avenue I South.  Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  On arrival at 1:18 p.m., the fire crews' incident commander determined it was a shed fully involved.  Two fire engines were committed to the extinguishment of the fire and the remaining apparatus were canceled and pulled off the response, returning to their stations.  A power line was overhead and the utility company was called for safety at the fire scene.  A Fire Investigator was requested by the Incident Commander.  This fire was brought under control at 1:27 p.m.  

At 1:54 p.m., fire crews had packed up their equipment and turned the scene over to the Fire Investigator.  

The fire investigation has concluded.  This has been determined to be a suspicious fire causing $5000 damage.  The Saskatoon Police Service will continue their portion of the investigation.  If anyone has information related to this fire, please contact (306) 975-8300 at the Saskatoon Police Service.

At 3:37 a.m. on July 17, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call from the R.C.M.P. that they had been searching for two missing people who were found stranded on a sand bar at Poplar Bluffs.  One water rescue team was dispatched to assist the R.C.M.P.  SFD was advised that no one was injured just needed assistance getting off the river's sand bar. 

Two people were found in the middle of the river on a sand bar without injuries.  At 4:49 a.m., the water team had the two individuals safely returned to shore.  SFD team returned to station at 5:02 a.m.  No details of what occurred to create the stranded situation is known by the SFD.

A friendly reminder to always have a back up plan when going near, in or on the water, inform someone of your plans and route, keep cell phones as charged as possible (don't drain them), refrain from alcohol which affects judgement, personal floatation device, take a whistle and flashlight as a means to call out and notify of your location. 

If you are using a vessel on the water, please review the requirements by Transport Canada for safe boat use on the water.  

https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/migrated/tp_511e.pdf

At 10:00 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received information from a caller south of Poplar Bluffs that they were missing someone in their group.  They had been on a "party island" floating near three sand bars and lost a member.  The SFD dispatcher took a description of the person, last point seen and directed the callers to stay on scene to assist our water rescue team.  One water rescue team with the Zodiak boat and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  Notifications were made to Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), Corman Park Police, R.C.M.P. and Search and Rescue by the SFD.  Police had their plane and were requested by the SFD to assist in the location of the missing person.  

On arrival at 10:34 p.m., R.C.M.P. were on scene and the SFD boat was launched and on the river at 10:48 p.m.  Members of the SFD searched the river from the boat and two SFD members walked along the river's edge.  The SPS plane was searching the area from the air.  At 10:58 p.m., the crew in the SFD boat found a person in the river up to his neck in water at 10:58 p.m.  Our missing person was brought to shore without injuries, returned to their group and did not need medical assistance.  All other agencies were notified that the person had been found and was safe.

The SFD wants to take this opportunity to thank our partner agencies for their assistance.  SFD returned to their station at 11:24 p.m.

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) is the incident commander for these multiple incidents.  The SFD is able to maintain their service level for the remainder of our city and citizens with fire personnel off duty and reserve apparatus being in commission at stations.  On the command unit is also a dispatcher who is dedicated to these fires leaving our on duty dispatchers in our Communications Centre able to focus on other emergency calls for service not involved in these incidents.  Two off duty Battalion Chiefs are also assisting our SFD Incident Commander in the command unit.  

Warman Fire Department is also on scene and assisting the SFD in addition to Martensville Fire.  The resources and collaboration that our partner fire services and SFD provide to one another is invaluable when needed and called upon.  

A Fire Investigator has been requested to document and map the fire patterns, estimate damages and determine cause.  The Fire Investigator will be reporting to the SFD's Incident Commander on arrival.

We will continue to update with information as it becomes available.  

At 4:11 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Communications Centre received a report of a fire along the tracks north of 71st Street East.  A rural response was dispatched originally compromising of one fire engine, one brush truck, one tanker unit and the Battalion Chief.  The first arriving fire engine identified a fire close to New Holland and Sarcan.  Fire was spreading, more resources were dispatched to the scene.  Multiple fires were identified which created multiple incidents.  The Saskatoon Fire Department remains on the scene at this time actively extinguishing the fires with partner agencies assisting.  Martensville Fire Department is assisting the SFD.  Saskatoon Police Service is providing essential traffic control to keep the public, our fire crews, hose lines, apparatus and tools safe.  SFD requests that all motorists and residents respect barricades, police and fire personnel and their equipment.  

No injuries have been reported of civilians or emergency personnel at this time.  Firefighting in this extreme hot weather is being considered and crews rotated regularly to keep firefighters from overheating, dehydrating and staying safe to be in optimal firefighting condition.

Our Emergency Management Command 9 Unit is on scene.  Our Assistant Chief of Staff Development and Safety is acting as Safety Officer.  The Deputy Chief of Operations is coordinating operations on our command unit.  All agencies are being coordinated by our Director of Emergency Management.  

The SFD will provide an update once it is available.