BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Kern County Fire Department officials are warning the public that COVID-19 could lead to a lack of firefighters.

Fire Chief David Witt wrote a letter to the community on Friday, saying that the second surge of the virus in the county is also apparent within his department.

The letter warns as more firefighters require quarantine the department could reach a point where they are unable to fully staff fire stations. They are asking people to only call 911 for serious medical emergencies, and they ask that all non-medical issues or COVID-19 related questions be directed towards local urgent care facilities.