The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) says residents in the Monte Creek area have fire protection coverage as of Jan. 1 this year.

The regional district says a total of 356 properties in Monte Creek, Del Oro, Lafarge, and the east end of Barnhartvale will benefit after residents voted in favour of adding fire protection in a referendum last May.

“We have been impressed with the response by people in the Monte Creek area who have joined their local fire department. We want to thank residents for stepping into this role, and we all look forward to the establishment of their new Fire Department,” Jason Tomlin, the TNRD’s Manager of Fire Protection Services said.

“We also want to thank the Pritchard Fire Department for their dedication and their support in providing fire protection coverage for the Monte Creek area.”

Tomlin says the TNRD has recruited 17 new volunteer firefighters, who have begun their training, which is expected to wrap up in mid-2023.

Once training is complete, members of the Monte Creek Fire Department will respond to calls out of the Pritchard Fire Hall, alongside members of that fire department.

They’re expected to continue doing so until 2025 when construction of the Monte Creek Fire Hall – at 1257 Hook Road – is completed.