The Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District has issued a ban on smoking in all of the island parks and trails until further notice.

The ban comes amidst heightened risk for fires due to very dry weather.

Just earlier this month, a brush fire was quenched near Waterfront Park when district boating staff formed a bucket brigade to douse the flames.

Shortly after Bainbridge firefighters arrived and contained the budding blaze, officials said the cause was likely from improperly discarded smoking material.

Dan Hamlin, the park district’s services director, said that the ban is a both temporary and necessary.

“With the fire danger increasing it is our attempt to educate users of the danger as well as the fact that if a wildfire starts in the Grand Forest, for example, it would be very difficult for fire personnel to deal with,” Hamlin said.

“We did this in 2015, as well. It is not a permanent ban, and it is only being posted on our trails and forested properties at this time,” he added.

Signs are being installed at district parks and trails indicating that smoking is prohibited until further notice.