Canada updates travel advisories due to typhoon, forest fires in popular destinations

Canada has updated several travel advisories due to a typhoon and forest fires in popular destinations.

With school out, summer is one of the busiest times for Canadians to travel.

Those planning a trip may to want check out the latest advisories before heading out.

Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories website helps travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside the country.

Here are five countries with updated advisories:

Japan

Risks: Typhoon

Reasons: Japan is a relatively safe country for travellers, but there is an update this week due to a typhoon. Typhoon Bavi is expected to pass through the Yaeyama and Miyako Islands in Okinawa Prefecture (southern Japan) on July 10. The storm is likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services and medical care.

The advisory suggests people avoid non-essential travel to the Yaeyama and Miyako Islands.

Typhoons usually occur between June and October in southern Japan. During this period, even small storms can quickly develop into major typhoons.

There is also an increased presence of bears in northern Japan, including in Akita, Niigata and Hokkaido prefectures. Bears have been sighted in urban areas, including resorts and hiking trails. Some encounters have resulted in casualties.

France

Risks: Terrorism, forest fires

Reasons: A wildfire was burning out of control in southwestern France this week, forcing the evacuation of 10,000 people from small towns and villages near the ‌Spanish border.

Forest and maquis fires often occur in summer, particularly in the south of the country and in Corsica, the advisory states. In recent years, due to high heat and drought conditions, the forest fire season has lengthened and broadened to cover the entire country. The risk of major fires has also increased.

Heavy smoke may deteriorate the air quality in areas near active fires.

There is a ban on smoking in woods and forests during high forest fire risk periods as defined by the prefecture. This ban applies equally to areas situated within 200 metres of wooded areas.

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities, including in France. Additional attacks can occur.

The Vigipirate plan is a set of security measures established by the French government. As part of this plan, the government maintains a three-level public alert system for terrorism. The current level is at two, “vigilance renforcée” (enhanced vigilance).

Sweden

Risks: Threat of terrorism.

Reasons: There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities, and further attacks are likely.

The Government of Sweden maintains a public alert system on terrorism. The Swedish Security Service’s current threat level is three, “elevated threat,” on a five-step scale. The Government of Sweden communicates changes to the threat level online and through local media.

The European Travel Information and Authorization System is planned to begin operations in the last quarter of 2026 (between September and December 2026). Applications are not yet open.

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization system. You must apply online and pay for an ETIAS before you travel to any one of 30 European countries, including Sweden. The ETIAS expires after three years or when your passport expires, whichever comes first.

You must travel with the same passport you used to apply for ETIAS. Once you arrive, you can stay for up to 90 days, in any of the participating countries combined, in a 180-day period. Longer stays may be possible in countries with an existing bilateral agreement with Canada. You should contact the embassy or consulate in Canada of your destination country before you travel for information on the possibility of extending your stay.

Spain

Risks: Threat of terrorism.

Reasons: Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities. In Spain, attacks causing deaths and injuries have taken place. Further attacks in Spain cannot be ruled out. Further attacks elsewhere in Europe are likely.

The Spanish government maintains a public alert system on terrorism and communicates threat level changes online and through local media. The current threat level for Spain is level four (“high”) on a scale of five.

The European Travel Information and Authorization System is planned to begin operations in the last quarter of 2026 (between September and December 2026). Applications are not yet open.

ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization system. You must apply online and pay for an ETIAS before you travel to any one of 30 European countries, including Spain. The ETIAS expires after three years or when your passport expires, whichever comes first.

You must travel with the same passport you used to apply for ETIAS. Once you arrive, you can stay for up to 90 days, in any of the participating countries combined, in a 180-day period. Longer stays may be possible in countries with an existing bilateral agreement with Canada. You should contact the embassy or consulate in Canada of your destination country before you travel for information on the possibility of extending your stay.

Vietnam

Risks: High rate of petty crime.

Reasons: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs frequently. It’s most prevalent in larger cities and may increase during major public holidays, such as Tet (Lunar New Year).

Criminals work alone or in groups and may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings. They may try to grab your bag and other valuables while passing on a motorbike or slash your bag in crowded streets and markets. Theft is frequent in popular tourist areas, markets, shopping centres and commercial streets, on public transportation, including sleeper trains, and at beaches and seaside destinations.

Vietnam is reporting higher than expected numbers of dengue cases. Dengue is a disease caused by a virus that can spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms can range from none or mild to severe or even fatal illness. If you have had a previous dengue infection, you may be at higher risk of severe disease.

In Canada, there is no vaccine available to prevent dengue. A vaccine is available to travellers in some countries outside of Canada.

For a complete list of advisories and additional information, see the federal website here.

Lead photo of Stockholm, Sweden: Pham Ngoc Anh