Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 2:07 p.m. on October 1, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call from the Martensville Fire Department requesting mutual aid with a fire located north of the city adjacent to Highway 12 in a salvage yard.  One engine, one tanker and one brush truck were dispatched to provide assistance. 

Upon arrival, firefighters were presented with fire that was fueled by a very large pile of combustible debris.  A Saskatoon Fire Department officer indicated the fire had progressed deep into the pile making it difficult to effectively apply water.  Heavy equipment is being used to dig into the pile to reach the deeper seated areas of fire, and to create a fire break between the pile and an adjacent building.

It is expected firefighters will be on scene through the night to help bring this blaze under control.

Further updates will be provided and more information becomes available.

At approximately 6:03 p.m. on September 30, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received notification from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that a piece of hay and forage baling equipment was on fire in a rural yard northeast of Saskatoon near Range Road 3043 and Township Road 382. A 911 caller on scene also reported surrounding grass on fire and one nearby structure to be potentially threatened by flames. One fire engine, two water tankers, two brush trucks, and one battalion chief responded. 

Firefighters arrived on scene and positioned themselves to immediately protect surrounding exposures. Fire crews operating brush trucks moved across the rural terrain extinguishing flames throughout the yard; a consistent water supply was shuttled to the fire scene using water tankers. The fire was quickly brought under control with assistance from the local community. Firefighters concluded their work on scene and returned to their stations by about 9:11 p.m.. There were no structures lost or damaged as a result of this incident and no injuries were reported.

As this area is outside of the Saskatoon Fire Department's investigative jurisdiction, a cause and damage estimate will not be provided.

At approximately 8:29 a.m. on September 27, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a head-on collision involving two vehicles on Idylwyld Drive South near 20th Street East; callers reported one occupant to be trapped inside one of the vehicles involved. One fire engine, one rescue unit, and one battalion chief responded. 

Arriving on scene in less than one minute, firefighters located two heavily damaged vehicles and a significant amount of debris. Bystanders had assisted the driver and lone occupant from one vehicle as fire crews made contact with the trapped driver and lone occupant of the second; quickly stabilizing the patient and vehicle in preparation for the extrication process, firefighters then removed the driver-side door and manipulated the interior construction of the vehicle to access and remove the patient inside. Both patients were transported to hospital by ground ambulance with undetermined injuries. 

Fire crews performed fluid and debris clean-up prior to leaving the scene with the Saskatoon Police Service and returning to their stations to continue proudly serving Saskatoon and area. 

Today, September 25, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department is proud to welcome 12 new firefighter-paramedics to begin serving the residents and visitors of Saskatoon and surrounding area.

“From diverse backgrounds, each recruit has demonstrated great initiative in preparing themselves to proudly serve with the Saskatoon Fire Department,” says Fire Chief Morgan Hackl. “Although our celebration will be smaller and physically distant this year, it is important to recognize their success.”

All 12 of the firefighter-paramedics are certified to the level of Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and are licensed through the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics. As firefighter-paramedics, they are trained, prepared, and experienced in operating effectively on high-hazard emergency scenes.

These firefighter-paramedics demonstrate the Saskatoon Fire Department’s commitment towards enhanced front-line emergency care and the investment that City Council continues to make in emergency services.

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

On the afternoon of September 22, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received internal communication from the Saskatoon Police Service alerting to an unknown package in the 100 block of Veterinary Road. Multiple personnel from the Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatoon Police Service, Emergency Management Organization, and University of Saskatchewan were committed to this incident.

Upon arrival, a tactical plan was established beginning with hazmat teams making entry into the building to conduct air quality tests; results of these tests confirmed a non-hazardous environment inside. Advancing further into the building, hazmat teams located the unknown package and began testing the suspicious substance within; these tests were also confirmed to be non-hazardous. 

While concluding at this location, a second unknown package containing a suspicious substance was found inside of a building in the 100 block of Administration Place; all personnel re-deployed to the location of this incident. Making entry into the building, hazmat teams conducted tests on the air quality and the suspicious substance within the unknown package; all tests were confirmed to be non-hazardous. 

These incidents were quickly isolated, addressed, and resolved; at no time was there an observed risk to public safety. The Saskatoon Fire Department concluded operations on the University of Saskatchewan grounds at approximately 8:42 p.m. on September 22, 2020.