Saskatoon activates extreme heat response plan for second time this year

Soaring temperatures have led the City of Saskatoon to activate its Level II Extreme Heat Emergency Response plan, which will stay in effect until at least Monday.

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The emergency plan has three levels, with a level-II response activated when temperatures to reach 32 C or higher during the day and stay 16 C or warmer overnight for at least three consecutive days. It’s only the second time Saskatoon has had to activate its heat plan this year, with the first activation happening at the end of May.

Pamela Goulden-Mcleod, Saskatoon’s director of emergency management, said the city’s spray pads will operate on extended hours as part of the response, with the water flowing from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.

There will also be more than a dozen cooling locations set up around the city, offering misting tents, water refill stations and free water bottles.

Those spots include the Remai Modern gallery, the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre, the Friendship Inn and Station 20 West. All the locations, along with the full list of the city’s spray parks, paddling pools and water fountains, can be found on the city’s website.

Goulden-Mcleod said first responders will be watching out for people with signs of heat exhaustion.

She emphasized that those at the greatest risk during the heat wave are older adults with health conditions who are living in apartments or condos. She encouraged residents to check on those loved ones this weekend.

Pamela Goulden-McLeod Saskatoon’s director of emergency management, speaking to reports in May, 2026. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

South Saskatchewan River still off limits

There’s one cooling spot that continues to be off limits, despite the heat.

Goulden-Mcleod reminded residents of the restrictions on the South Saskatchewan River, which is still flowing at dangerously high levels.

“The riverbank is great,” she said, “but we’re just asking everybody to stay away from the actual banks and the river.”

Less than a week ago, Saskatoon fire department crews were involved in two water rescues.

On July 4, firefighters responded to a call about an unmanned pontoon boat floating down the river. They were able to return the boat back to its owner on the shore.

The next day, crews were called out to help a person stranded on Yorath Island, just south of the city, during the early morning hours.

The high river levels and flow rate are a consequence of the Gardiner Dam spillway opening on July 2, the second time it has opened this year. The first was on June 10, which increased the water’s flow rates significantly.

On June 20, 10 days after the first release of water from the dam, 32-year-old Adan Vargas Salvador went over the weir on a jet ski. A body tentatively identified as Salvador was pulled from the water in Corman Park on July 2.

“We’re just asking people to be aware and be safe,” Goulden-Mcleod said.