28-05-2025
Banff Mineral Springs Hospital installs sprinklers to reduce wildfire threat
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'We know how devastating a forest fire can be to a community and how important it is to protect key infrastructure including hospitals,' said site administrator Margie Smith in a Wednesday statement.
'The new fire protection at Mineral Springs Hospital increases site, patient and staff safety, and it also will allow firefighters to focus on protecting other parts of our community, knowing the hospital is largely self-sufficient.'
The Banff hospital is the first health-care facility in Alberta to have such a system, said Smith, who hopes other facilities in the province and country will add them.
Banff fire chief Keri Martens said embers from wildfire can be blown into town from kilometres away.
'The sprinkler system will help Banff firefighters protect critical infrastructure during an emergency,' said Martens in a statement.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said the Alberta government applauds Covenant Health's efforts to proactively protect critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of the hospital during wildfires.
The Town of Banff has a roof sprinkler incentive program, through which eligible Banff homeowners can purchase a roof sprinkler kit at a reduced cost after a free FireSmart home inspection.
