Haliburton County's fire departments are not issuing daytime burning permits as they seek to reduce the number of calls and personal interaction required of firefighters.

"As with everyone the fire departments are very concerned about keeping our personnel healthy and safe. Our commitment at this point is to maintaining our response to emergency calls. Also our fire department personnel are very busy with commitments relating to COVID-19. For these reasons the fire departments of Haliburton County are not issuing daytime burning permits until further notice" Mike Iles fire chief for the Dysart fire department wrote in an email.

No open air fires are permitted between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. after April 1.