Prolonged hot weather forecast for Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley

Temperatures are forecast to rise over the next week in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley as a high pressure system builds along the West Coast of B.C.

Thursday is predicted to be the peak of the hot weather, climbing to highs of about 32 C in many inland locations and closer to 25 C along the water, according to an alert released by Environment Canada.

The above average temperatures are forecast to last into the middle of next week.

Campfires have been banned for most of B.C.'s South and Central Coast as of noon Wednesday, Aug. 17, due to rising temperatures and lack of rain, the B.C. Wildfire Service announced yesterday.

The ban covers all of the Coastal Fire Centre, except for Haida Gwaii and a two-kilometre strip on the west coast of Vancouver Island known as the "Fog Zone."

The rules will be in place until Oct. 21 or until further notice, the wildfire service said.

Medical health officers are reminding residents to protect themselves and loved ones from the heat, advising car owners to never leave children or pets in a parked car.