News Items

US Passport Information for US Visitors

Returning to the United States

US passports are not necessary at this time to visit British Columbia or other parts of Canada, or to return to the US.

It is important to note that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) that will require all travellers to the US to show passports (including returning US citizens) will come into effect on the following dates:

• Travel by air: January 23, 2007
• Travel by land or sea (including ferries): as early as January 1, 2008

For updates on when this new travel policy for Americans will be implemented, please visit the US Department of State web site.

Current Road Conditions

For information on road conditions 24 hours a day check the Drive BC web site. The web site includes links to various other information sources such as Inland Ferry Schedules, BC Ferries Waits, Border Crossing Times and Major Incidents and Road Closures.

The information provided on the Ministry of Transportation road report pages provides the condition of a particular provincial road at the time the route was last checked.

Ferry Travel Plan Ahead

British Columbia has several ferry routes, both inland and on the coast. The majority of routes are run by the BC Ferry Corporation and sail between the mainland, Vancouver Island and some of the Gulf Islands. Most sailings in the summer are hourly and it is suggested that you arrive at least 30 minutes before departure time.

Often at peak times there are one or two sailing waits and to avoid the lineups you can make reservations. Find sailing schedules and prices online at www.bcferries.com.

Inland ferries, operated by the Ministry of Transportation, cross lakes and rivers around the province. These ferries are free of charge, with the exception of the Shuswap Lake Ferry. For sailing times and information, visit the Ministry of Transportation web site.

Forest Fires and Campfire Etiquette

Forest fires are a very real danger in British Columbia. If you spot a fire while travelling through the province, call and report it to the British Columbia Forest Service at 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on your cell phone. This is a free province-wide emergency number.

Campfires are a major cause of forest fires. Campfire regulations are seasonal and vary from region to region. During the summer months forest fires are a very real danger and bans are put in place in the dryer areas. For detailed regional information about fire regulations, contact the BC Forest Service Fire Information Line at 1-888-336-7378. Always check with local Tourist Info Centres, as local regulations always supersede those of the Ministry of Forests and Range.

Please limit your use of campfires to cooking and warmth. They not only create a danger of forest fires, but the smoke from campfires pollutes the environment. When gathering fuel use only fallen wood and never live timber. Often, cut wood can be purchased from campgrounds. Don't burn garbage in your campfire. The smell is unpleasant for you and your neighbours, and may even attract bears into your camp. Unburned waste left in a fire pit is an unappealing discovery for whoever uses the site after you.

Never leave a fire unattended and always make sure that it is fully extinguished. Even days after having burned down, embers can stay hot and pose a hidden danger. Pull apart the logs and pour water over the coals. These simple rules will help keep British Columbia's forests for all to enjoy.

For more information visit the Ministry of Forests and Range web site.