An extended period of blisteringly hot weather is beginning to have an impact on the B.C. Interior.

More than a dozen new wildfires have sparked across the Kamloops fire centre region over the past 36 hours, the vast majority being triggered by lightning.

Despite lightning being the cause behind the majority of recent fires, some residents are asking when a ban on campfires will be instituted for the region.

A campfire ban was declared today across the Lower Mainland, Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island, an area where only one wildfire is currently noted.

Last year, a campfire ban was officially issued for Kamloops fire centre region on July 7, however, according to BC Wildfire Services, it could be another week before a campfire ban is instituted for the region.

"It is a calculated decision where we take many things into consideration such as the fire danger rating and how dry forest fuels are," said Jodie Lucius from the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Photo Credit: File Photo.

"We are anticipating a campfire prohibition in the next week."

During a campfire ban, anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.

If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.