Vancouver Island campers will have to enjoy the great outdoors without a campfire this weekend.

B.C.’s Coastal Fire Centre is implementing a campfire ban at noon Thursday, due to dry weather.

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“This is something we take very seriously,” said spokeswoman Marg Drysdale.

“We know people like to go camping and enjoy the outdoors, however with the risk with lightning coming through, we need to allocate our resources.”

The campfire ban includes the Island, Sunshine Coast, mid-coast and Lower Mainland. Haida Gwaii is not affected, said Drysdale.

Hot temperatures and little rain in July have raised the fire danger rating to extreme in many areas, she said.

There’s also lightning in the forecast over the next few days.

Even though some weather forecasts predict rain on Friday, that won’t be enough to lower risk conditions, she said.

“Our forecasters are saying it won’t be a lot [of rain],” she said.

“What’s going to happen is we may have a day or a day-and-a-half of rain, followed by more of the same weather. Right now, how much precipitation comes is up in the air. What we are going to be dealing with is lightning fires.”

Some municipalities may have bylaws that override the government fire bans, and so residents should check their local rules as well, said Drysdale.

There is already an open fire ban in place, meaning backyard burning, debris burning and burn barrels are prohibited as well.

localnews@timescolonist.com