MEDIA RELEASE
Two new family physicians for Haliburton County
The County of Haliburton, along with the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Organization (HHFHO), is pleased to announce that Dr. Mario Lupu and Dr. Carly Eisbrenner will be joining the family health team this fall.
Dr. Lupu brings a blend of clinical expertise in community-based family medicine as well as extra proficiency in sports and urgent care medicine. His start date is Sept 18, 2025.
He completed his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania in 1999, received a Dr. Med/PhD from the University of Heidelberg in 2006, became fully registered with the UK General Medical Council in 2008, and received a Postgraduate diploma in Sport Medicine from the University of South Wales in 2020.
“Dr. Lupu intends to stay with the group for years to come and will be assuming the practice of Dr. Norm Bottum” said Kim Robinson, Director of the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Organization.
“I truly hope to make Haliburton my home and be part of the community,” said Dr. Lupu.
Dr. Carly Eisbrenner was awarded her Doctor of Medicine degree from McMaster University in 2022, then completed a rural family practice residency at the University of British Columbia in 2024, followed by three months of supplemental emergency room training.
She has made a commitment to full-time practice consisting of an office-based clinical practice (rostering 700 new patients), as well as shifts in the Emergency and Inpatient Departments at HHHS. Her start date is November 1, 2025.
Dr. Keith Hay, Chief of Staff at HHHS adds, “Dr. Eisbrenner will be a welcome addition to the hospital medical staff, and we are thrilled that she has elected to begin her career in Haliburton County.”
Dr. Eisbrenner confirmed her commitment when stating, “Haliburton has had a special place in my heart for years, and my husband and I are looking forward to making it home for years to come.”
“On behalf of our community, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Lupu and Dr. Eisbrenner to the Haliburton Highlands,” said Haliburton County Warden Dave Burton. “Access to quality health care is a top priority and having two new physicians join our region strengthens the care available to local residents and families. We are grateful for Dr. Lupu and Dr.
Media Release
County of Haliburton
PO Box 399 11 Newcastle Street, Minden, ON K0M 2K0 | (705) 286-1333
Eisbrenner’s commitment to practicing here and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our community’s health and well-being.”
For further information please contact:
Dave Burton, Warden
dburton@highlandseast.ca
or
Kimberley Robinson, Director of Haliburton Highlands Family Health Organization
kim.robinson@hhfht.com
General
Fire Ban Lifted
For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 28, 2025
8 A.M.
Release #JFS-25-02
Subject: Total Fire Ban in Haliburton County Lifted
With recent rainfall, effective immediately on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, the total fire ban that was enacted throughout the County of Haliburton on Aug. 5 has been lifted. This means that outdoor nighttime burning is once again permitted between 7 p.m. and
7 a.m. in the townships of Algonquin Highlands, Minden Hills, Highlands East and Dysart et al.
The fire season extends until Oct. 31 and daytime burning between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. remains prohibited until then. Please ensure all fires are fully extinguished and never leave a fire unattended. Any questions about the lifting of the ban or burning regulations can be directed to your local municipal fire department.
Contact Information:
Mike French
Fire Chief
Algonquin Highlands Fire Services 705-706-0010
mfrench@algonquinhighlands.ca
Dan Chumbley
Fire Chief
Municipality of Dysart et al 705-457-2126
dchumbley@dysartetal.ca
Don Kruger
Fire Chief
Township of Minden Hills 705-286-1202, Ext. 560
dkruger@mindenhills.ca
Chris Baughman
Fire Chief
Municipality of Highlands East 705-448-2981, Ext. 428
cbaughman@highlandseast.ca
Police Investigate Collision in Algonquin Highlands
FROM/DE: Haliburton Highlands Detachment
POLICE INVESTIGATE MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION IN ALGONQUIN HIGHLANDS
(HALIBURTON COUNTY, ON) - The Haliburton Highlands detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is actively investigating a single-vehicle collision involving an off-road vehicle.
On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, shortly after 8:29 p.m., the Haliburton Highlands and Huntsville OPP officers responded to a report of a single motor vehicle collision. The location was on a private roadway near Dagger Lake Access Road, in Algonquin Highlands Township. Officers arrived at the scene and conducted an investigation. The driver of the off-road vehicle was the sole occupant and suffered major injures as a result of the collision.
Emergency medical services (EMS) transported the individual to a local area hospital and later they were transferred by ORNGE Air to a Toronto area trauma centre. Technical Trained Collision Investigators (TTCI) of the Ontario Provincial Police were called in to assist in the investigation.
The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.
If you have an information that can assist police, you can call the non-emergency number for the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or report on-line at www.khcrimestoppers.com.
- 30 -
Fire Ban Extended Until August 19th
Fire Ban in Haliburton County extended until August 19
With no significant rain in the forecast, the County's four Chief Fire Officials have extended the total fire ban for the County of Haliburton until at least Friday, August 19. Conditions in the area remain extremely dry.
A reminder the complete fire ban means absolutely no outdoor burning at any time of day or night. This means no bonfires, no cooking fires, no charcoal barbecues, no fire tables, nor any other light source that uses an open flame. Gas and propane barbecues may continue to be used, as may gas or propane camping stoves that include shut-off valves and a lid. Please turn off these cooking appliances as soon as you are finished using them.
In the Township of Algonquin Highlands, if the Fire Chief is required to attend your property during a fire ban, a flat fine of $1,000 will apply. If fire trucks have to respond to your property, you will be charged by the truck, by the hour, according to rates set by the Ministry of Transportation. These rates start at approximately $575 per truck for the first hour of attendance.
The total fire ban will be lifted only after the area receives significant rainfall. Thank you for your co-operation and doing your part to keep our community safe.
Forest Fire Updates August 11th –
|
|
Active Wildfires around Haliburton County – August 10, 2025
The Township of Minden Hills, County of Haliburton and local member municipalities are monitoring updates on active forest fires in the areas around Haliburton County.
- Haliburton 16 (HAL016) is 4.5 hectares and not under control
- Haliburton 17 (HAL017) is 1.6 hectares and being held
- Haliburton 18 (HAL018) is 11 hectares and not under control
- Haliburton 19 (HAL019) is 5 hectares and not under control
(Information available as of 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 10th)
These fires are identified by the prefixes Haliburton and HAL representing the Ministry of Natural Resource's Haliburton Fire Management Area, but are located in Kawartha Lakes and Hastings County. There are currently no active forest fires identified by the MNRF in Haliburton County.
For more information, please view the Ministry of Natural Resources Forest Fire Info Map. This map changes throughout the day to reflect up-to-date weather information: https://www.lioapplications.
The Township of Minden Hills is in contact with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Provincial Police and other partners, and will share information as it becomes available.
Within Haliburton County:
A total fire ban throughout the County of Haliburton has been in effect since noon on Tuesday, August 5th including the Township of Minden Hills. It also includes the townships of Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, and Highlands East. This means no outdoor burning any time of day or night.
For more information visit: https://www.
In Ontario, a flashing green light means a volunteer firefighter is en route to an emergency in their personal vehicle. When you see a flashing green light on a vehicle, pull over and allow the vehicle to pass if safe to do so.
If heading south: As of midnight last night, County Road 49 has been reopened. Emergency crews are actively monitoring and responding to a forest fire at County Road 49 and County Road 121 near Burnt River in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Please approach the area with caution and drive carefully. Please avoid non-essential travel.
For information about road closures, please visit https://511on.ca/.
Environment Canada has issued an extended heat warning for the County of Haliburton from August 9th (Saturday) through to August 11th (Monday). Please be aware of symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and check in on neighbours and family, particularly those who may be at higher risk.
For more information: https://www.hkpr.on.ca/.../
How to Help:
- It is illegal to fly a drone within nine kilometres of a wildland fire. Doing so disrupts air traffic, putting the lives of pilots and fire crews at risk. Learn more at https://ontario.ca/Drones.
- Waterbombers will be active today. You can help fight forest fires by staying clear of waterbombers. When waterbombers approach a body of water, move close to the shore so they can perform their scoop safely and effectively. If encroaching watercraft on a lake or river pose a safety hazard, waterbombers will not scoop. This can cause delays in effectively and efficiently suppressing a nearby wildland fire, which could put the safety of the public, firefighters, and other emergency service personnel at risk. Learn more at https://www.ontario.ca/.../
drones-waterbombers- restricted....
To proactively protect your property from wildland fires, please find more information about the FireSmart program here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/