Firefighting suspended in rural areas of Lower Nicola near Merritt

Residents won't have fire protection in rural areas west of Merritt.

The Thompson Nicola Regional District is looking for options, but there will be no firefighters to respond to structure fires in the area "until further notice," according to a notice on its website.

Lower Nicola Indian Band firefighters were responding to rural properties in the Lower Nicola area and southwest along Highway 8 under contract with the regional district.

"At this time, it has been determined that the (Lower Nicola Indian Band) Fire Department does not have the capacity to respond to fire calls outside of their own community," the regional district said.

In the band's June newsletter, it advertised immediate openings for four firefighters. The firefighters that remain will now only respond to calls only within the First Nation community.

The regional district sent a notice by mail to the affected properties, which include the Lower Nicola, Miller Estates, Canford and properties along Petit Creek Road, Cummings Road and Jack Swartz Forest Service Road.

The regional district is looking for options to bring back fire protection to the area, but for now, paramedics and RCMP will respond to 9-1-1 calls.

B.C. Wildfire Service will also respond to wildfires in the region.

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