Two rural areas within the Thompson Nicola Regional District could see fire protection services brought to their communities.

Board chair Ken Gillis says the regional district is planning at this point to bring fire service to Monte Lake and Nicola Lake Estates.

“They pay absolutely shocking insurance premiums because of course they’re unprotected, and so we’re hoping that we can sort of ameliorate that situation for them. It’s still in the planning stages and we are moving forward on it, and I’m quite hopeful that we’ll at least get it as far as a referendum and see what the people think.”

Gillis says a satellite fire hall could be established in Monte Lake and says near Nicola Lake the best option could be to extend the boundary for fire department in Merritt.