FIRE BAN update: The Haliburton County fire chiefs will be lifted the fire ban May 18 at 12:01 a.m. The indices provided by the MNRF bring the fire risk rating out of “extreme” and the forecast is for cool and damp weather.Algonquin Highlands fire chief and county co-ordinator Michael French said, “Thank you for helping to get the word out on the fire ban, and helping to protect our forests.”