A campfire ban covering most of B.C.'s coastal region comes into effect on Friday. (Jim Mone/Associated Press)

Forest officials say a ban on campfires along B.C.'s coastal region comes into effect on Friday.

The ban includes most of Vancouver Island, except a two-kilometre stretch along the island's outer coast, and spans the mainland from the Lower Mainland to the Coast Mountains.

Coastal fire centre spokesperson Donna MacPherson said the ban, designed to prevent human-caused wildfires, applies to open fires of any size, including campfires, fireworks, torches and burning barrels.

The ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes as long as the flame does not exceed 15 centimetres.

MacPherson said there are high to extreme fire danger ratings throughout the coastal fire centre, and officials are keeping a close watch on areas like Victoria and Whistler.

She said forest fuels are drying very quickly and some areas haven't seen any precipitation for weeks.

Anyone who violates the open fire ban could face a fine of $345 and if a wildfire occurs that person could be imprisoned for up to three years.

The ban applies only inside B.C. Parks and on Crown land, but not within municipalities or regional districts that have their own burning bylaws.

With files from The Canadian Press