Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

Fire Protection

North Thompson community of Birch Island to remain without fire protection

Oct 7, 2024 | 4:37 PM

CLEARWATER, B.C. — The Thompson Nicola Regional District will hold off on providing fire protection service to the community of Birch Island.

The district held an assent vote between August 28 and October 4, asking if residents wanted the district to expand the Vavenby Fire Protection Service Area to include the hamlet along Highway 5 southeast of Clearwater.

Property owners would have paid an extra $1.07 per $1,000 of assessed property value annually for the service. The TNRD says that equates to an additional $428 per year for a $400,000 property, based on the 2024 tax rate.

The district noted that cost could be partially offset by the insurance savings gained by being within a recognized fire protection area.

At least 50 per cent of property owners would need to indicate support for the proposal to go forward.

Question of the Week

Is returning to a balanced budget one of your BC election priorities?

7h ago

BC Votes

B.C. Election 2024: Where to go, how to register ahead of advance voting

11h ago

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Sept. 30

Oct 05, 2024

In a news release issued Monday (Oct. 7), the TNRD says it received 49 petition forms back, representing just 35 per cent of the 140 affected properties.