A total fire ban is in effect for Newmarket and Aurora, the Fire Chiefs of York Region say.

Burning of any kind is not permitted due to the hot and dry conditions southern Ontario has been seeing, the agency said in a news release Monday. The ban will continue until the risk decreases.

"Given the current weather conditions and the lack of significant rain, we need to take precautions to prevent large fires and protect the health, safety and air quality of our communities," Central York Fire Services Fire Chief Rocco Volpe said in the release.

People are permitted to use barbecues or other approved cooking appliances with caution. But residents should exercise extreme caution when using anything that could start a fire, including citronella candles, propane or gas equipment and matches o

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