Officials say a smoking ban will likely come into effect in the coming days. (CBC)

The Vancouver Park Board has delayed implementing a smoking ban at the city's parks and beaches, but say the ban will likely be in place before the upcoming long weekend.

The recent stretch of hot, dry weather means the fire hazard risk in Vancouver is high — and it's only expected to grow with more warm weather in the forecast.

Board chair Aaron Jasper said an extreme fire hazard warning would likely be in place before the long weekend.

He said the extreme fire risk rating is actually determined by the Metro Vancouver Regional District and it is expected most municipalities in the region would also follow the same measures.

"There will be ... no smoking on trails, parks and grassy areas," Jasper said. "No charcoal barbeques will be permitted on parks and beaches."

The ban also applies to wood-fueled barbeques, and extends to the city's golf courses and playgrounds.

However, some argue the widespread smoking ban is excessive.

"If I want to smoke at the beach, I'll smoke at the beach," said Earl Kaminsky, a smoker who has been outside nearly every day this month.

"You think there could be a fire on the beach from smoking? Maybe on the park, I can understand that, but on the beach? Probably not."

However, Jasper warned it takes only a small ember from a cigarette or charcoal barbeque to spark a blaze.

And he said offenders risk facing fines of up to $250.

"For those who thumb their nose at the regulation, absolutely, if we had to we wouldn't hesitate to issue a fine."

While the smoking ban is not yet in place, officials are warning park visitors to extinguish cigarettes thoroughly and use the coal dumps provided at beach and picnic sites.

Smoking bans issued for fire danger are separate from the no-smoking bylaw that takes effect in September, banning smoking on all of Vancouver's parks and beaches.