Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

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.