News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
City of Saskatoon continues winter maintenance efforts, offering free sand for residents
February 7, 2024 - 4:00pm
City crews continue with winter maintenance efforts as Saskatoon experiences snowfall throughout the day, and overnight. Winter maintenance activities today included plowing Circle Drive and expressways, applying de-icing materials to improve traction and clearing snow from bridge decks and city-maintained sidewalks and pathways.
Major streets in Saskatoon are primarily wet, with some slush. These wet conditions can become very icy as temperatures drop overnight. Crews will monitor and apply de-icing materials continuously while addressing slush build up along priority streets to avoid ice formation. With the additional moisture and temperatures dropping overnight, be prepared to adjust your driving to road conditions and watch for blue and amber flashing lights on snow maintenance equipment. When you encounter winter maintenance equipment please slow down, keep a safe distance, and be prepared to stop.
Free sand that is mixed with a little salt is available for residents to address icy conditions on their sidewalks at four locations: Cosmo Civic Centre, Lakewood Civic Centre, Lawson Civic Centre and the Material Recovery Centre in the City's southwest. Please know salt can cause damage concrete and paving stones if you are considering placing this material on your driveway and bring your own tools for sand transportation.
For a full look at the City’s winter road maintenance plan, head to saskatoon.ca/snow.
Daily Road Report - February 8, 2024
February 7, 2024 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
TAYLOR ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT ROSEWOOD GATE N
(Catch basin repair)
Start: February 8, 9:00 a.m. End: February 8, 11:00 a.m.
IDYLWYLD DR N NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 58TH ST E
(Streetlight pole replacement)
Start: February 8, 9:00 a.m. End: February 8, 1:00 p.m.
ONGOING
BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Celebrating Chinese New Year with Fireworks
February 7, 2024 - 9:00am
- Carefully read and follow the manufacturer instructions.
- Exercise increased caution when handling and discharging any type of firework.
- Choose your location wisely. Fireworks can only be discharged on private property.
- Familiarize yourself with the space requirements for the type of firework being discharged. Requirements vary depending on the firework type.
- Ensure your location is free of overhead obstructions, is clear side-to-side and is a safe distance from combustible materials.
- Ensure that it is not windy and that all spectators are safely located to observe the display.
- Be sure to properly stabilize the firework according to manufacturer direction.
- Other than sparklers, never light or hold a lit firework in your hand.
- Always light the fuse at its tip.
- Never try to relight or fix the fuse on fireworks that did not go off.
- Have a supply of water available and use it to extinguish debris or smouldering embers before they cause injuries, property damage and/or fires.
- Keep in mind that you are solely responsible for any debris that may land on spectators or another’s property.
While celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Dragon, the Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind residents and visitors of safe practices for purchasing, enjoying and disposing of fireworks. At the City Council Meeting on September 27, 2023, Bylaw 7990 was amended to permit low hazard fireworks in recognition of the Lunar New Year. Discharging low-hazard fireworks is now permitted on private property from dusk on Chinese New Year's Eve, Friday, February 9, until 12:15 a.m. on Chinese New Year's Day, Saturday, February 10.
Low-hazard fireworks are designed for public recreational use. These fireworks travel less than 50m (160ft) high and include items such as roman candles, sparklers, fountains, wheels, volcanoes, mines and snakes.
High-hazard fireworks are designed for professionals and can only be purchased by persons holding a valid Fireworks Supervisor – Level I or Level II card issued by Natural Resources Canada.
Residents and spectators are reminded of the risks and obligations associated with fireworks:
For more information about fireworks safety, please visit saskatoon.ca/fireworks.
Nominations open for 2024 Living in Harmony Awards
February 7, 2024 - 8:00am
Saskatoon is Our Home and We Live in Harmony with Each Other. Stop Racial Discrimination.
The City has opened the 2024 Call for Submissions for its annual Living in Harmony Awards. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in contributing to community harmony through the elimination of racial discrimination in our community. They are presented annually in March, which the City of Saskatoon has proclaimed Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month since 1990.
Any individual or organization that is contributing to the elimination of racism in Saskatoon is eligible. Students and school groups are also invited to send in submissions that speak to inclusivity and anti-racism using any expressive form (photos, art, written, video, etc.).
Nominations are being accepted until 3 p.m. on March 6, 2024. The nomination forms are available at saskatoon.ca/LivingInHarmony.
The Living in Harmony Awards are part of the City’s commitment to making Saskatoon an inclusive and equitable space where racism has no place. The Living in Harmony awards winners are selected by the City of Saskatoon's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. These names will be announced on March 21, 2024, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
City clearing priority roadways following overnight snow
February 7, 2024 - 7:30am
Snow began overnight in Saskatoon and is expected to continue throughout the day. Sanders and plows worked through the night, and remain on the go this morning, focusing on Circle Drive and applying de-icing materials as it continues to snow.
The priority while it snows is to keep the driving lanes clear along Circle Drive and the busiest freeway and arterial streets. Crews are applying de-icing materials along priority streets, focusing on bridge decks and intersections.
Drivers should adjust their driving for the road conditions, leave extra room and time for their commute.
Please watch for blue and amber flashing lights on road maintenance equipment and leave room for the operators to do their work.