The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is moving ahead with a $25,000 study to look at creating a new joint fire department for the Paul Lake–Pinantan Lake corridor, east of Kamloops.
Right now, fire protection in the area is handled by small volunteer groups in Paul Lake, East Paul Lake, Pinantan Lake, and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc lands. But there’s no formal fire coverage across the whole region — something many say needs to change due to wildfire risk.
“This is about bringing these communities together to explore one, unified fire service,” said Area “P” Director Lee Morris. “We all know the fire risk in this area is real. Now we want to see if we can work together on a better solution.”
What the Study Will Do
The $25,000 feasibility study will:
- Look at the costs and logistics of creating a joint fire department
- Explore how it would be funded and managed
- Include public consultation to hear from local residents
The study will be paid for by the TNRD but only reimbursed by the community if a new fire service is eventually created.
Community Support Already in Place
The idea has support from:
- Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
- East Paul Lake Fire Brigade
- Paul Lake Community Association
- Pinantan Lake Fire & EMS Association
TNRD staff say the study will help answer key questions — like what the new fire service would look like, how much it would cost, and where its boundaries would be.
A Growing Concern
The Paul Lake–Pinantan Lake corridor is known for high wildfire risk. With more frequent fires in recent years, many residents have been asking for stronger fire protection.
“We’re already seeing increased awareness just by starting this study,” said Morris. “But we need to hear from residents — their input will be critical.”
What’s Next
The study will begin this fall and is expected to wrap up in 2026. If the results are positive, a formal proposal for a new fire service could be brought forward for public approval.
At a Glance:
- Study Cost: $25,000
- Areas Involved: Paul Lake, East Paul Lake, Pinantan Lake, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
- Current Service: Volunteer-only, no formal TNRD coverage
- Goal: Explore creating one unified fire department
- Public Input: Will be part of the process
