Canada increases to Level 4 alert, urges zero travel to Spanish Provinces

OTTAWA, Canada — Canada heightens Level 4 ‘Avoid All Travel’ advisories for five wildfire-hit Spanish provinces and reissues severe warnings for Burkina Faso. OTTAWA, Canada — Vacation-planning Canadians scrolling the federal government’s travel page this week will notice bright-red “Avoid All Travel” banners next to two very different destinations: parts of Spain and the land-locked West African nation of Burkina Faso. The Ottawa-based advisories mark the latest shake-up in the country’s global risk map and could change summer and fall itineraries for thousands of leisure travelers.

Level 4 travel alert for five Spanish provinces

Spain routinely ranks among the top European getaways for Canadians, but the newest Level 4 warning carves out a no-go zone in the nation’s northwest and central interior. According to the federal advisory, Ourense, Zamora, Salamanca, León and Cáceres are now subject to a blanket instruction to “Avoid All Travel” because of fast-moving wildfires that have flared since early August 2025. The fires have triggered evacuation orders, intermittent highway closures and air-quality alerts across portions of Galicia, Castile and León, and Extremadura. “Wildfires are burning in central and northwestern parts of the country,” the Canadian government said in its published advisory, noting that changing wind patterns and rugged terrain can create unpredictable fire behavior. Local authorities in each province have the power to issue real-time evacuation notices, and visitors who choose to remain could face mandatory relocations with little warning. Travelers bound for unaffected regions—Madrid, Barcelona, the Balearic Islands and most of Andalucía remain open—should still monitor Spain’s civil-protection bulletins in case smoke drifts or rail service is disrupted. Peak domestic vacation traffic in August can complicate rerouting, and many rural hotels in the five provinces have temporarily shut their doors to act as staging areas for firefighters.

Burkina Faso: terrorism danger keeps the entire country on red alert

While the Spanish advisory is new and geographically targeted, Burkina Faso has lived under Canada’s highest warning tier for years. The countrywide Level 4 designation stems from what Ottawa calls “the threat of terrorism, the risk of kidnapping, and the unstable political situation.” Militancy has intensified along borders with Niger, Mali, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire, and the advisory warns that even major hubs such as Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso may not be fully shielded from attacks. Canada’s notice specifically highlights seven regions—North, Sahel, East, Southwest, Boucle du Mouhoun, Centre-Nord and Center—where security checkpoints, curfews or sudden road closures can be imposed without advance notice. In the event of a declared emergency, travelers are instructed to carry valid photo identification at all times and follow local media for updates.

New health notices: polio rises to Level 2, dengue drops to Level 1

On top of the security issues, Ottawa quietly amended the health section of its Burkina Faso advisory. A Level 2 notice now applies to polio, signaling what the Public Health Agency calls an “increased risk to travellers.” The advisory recommends enhanced precautions such as confirming booster status, delaying non-essential trips for high-risk groups and packing proper personal protective equipment. Dengue, by contrast, has eased from Level 2 to Level 1, meaning standard preventive steps—avoiding mosquito bites, practicing meticulous hand hygiene and staying current on routine vaccines—are again considered sufficient. Additional reminders posted on May 12 cover measles, yellow fever and other illnesses common along West African travel routes.

Why do the warnings matter for travelers?

• Insurance validity: Many comprehensive travel-medical and trip-cancellation policies exclude coverage for destinations under a Government of Canada Level 4 advisory. Consult your insurer before non-refundable bookings.
• Consular limitations: Embassy and consulate teams have limited capacity to intervene during large-scale emergencies in red-alert regions.
• Airline operations: Carriers are not obligated to rebook passengers who ignore government travel advisories; check fare rules carefully.

A snapshot of visitor numbers and entry rules

Even before the security spiral, Burkina Faso saw only 67,000 foreign arrivals in 2020, down from 143,000 in 2019. Tourism remains a fraction of what nearby Côte d’Ivoire or Ghana attracts, and every visitor—whether traveling for leisure, business or study—must obtain a visa prior to arrival. In Spain, by contrast, pre-pandemic visitor counts routinely topped 80 million a year. The five wildfire-affected provinces account for a modest share of that total, but they are gateways to popular UNESCO cities such as Salamanca and León and to Camino de Santiago hiking segments in Ourense.

Canada’s economic ties and the diplomacy factor

Canada has maintained relations with Burkina Faso since 1962, two years after the African nation gained independence. The connection is largely commercial; Canadian mining companies invested more than $1.6 billion in Burkina Faso’s gold sector in 2022 alone. Despite that economic footprint, Ottawa’s advice to citizens is unequivocal: essential personnel only, and only with stringent security planning.

What happens if you are already there?

If you are currently in one of Spain’s five flagged provinces, local authorities will provide evacuation corridors should wind or heat conditions worsen. Know the location of the nearest emergency shelter, keep a loose fuel tank and register your presence with the Government of Canada’s “Registration of Canadians Abroad” service. In Burkina Faso, visitors should maintain a low profile, vary routines and verify that accommodation providers have back-up generators and secure perimeters. Curfews can be enacted with little notice; ensure your driver carries documentation authorizing movement after dark.

Tips for Travelers

• Download Spain’s My112 or similar regional emergency apps before driving rural routes in Ourense, Zamora, Salamanca, León or Cáceres.
• Carry N95 or KN95 respirators; wildfire smoke can linger hundreds of kilometers beyond the burn zone.
• For Burkina Faso, arrange airport pick-ups through vetted hotels and avoid overland border crossings with Niger and Mali.
• Double-check vaccine certificates: polio boosters for West Africa are now strongly advised and may be requested by immigration officials.
• Save the phone numbers of Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre (+1-613-996-8885) and the 112 European emergency line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Madrid or Barcelona affected by Canada’s new Level 4 warning?

No. The advisory targets only the provinces of Ourense, Zamora, Salamanca, León and Cáceres. Major Spanish metros remain at normal advisory levels.

Can I get travel insurance for Burkina Faso under a Level 4 advisory?

Some specialty insurers will underwrite high-risk trips, but premiums are steep and exclusions broad. Read the fine print.

Will airlines waive change fees for Spanish wildfire disruptions?

Policies vary. Airlines often offer waivers for declared natural disasters, but only if your ticket involves an airport directly affected by smoke or closure.

Is the polio vaccine mandatory for Burkina Faso?

It is not legally required for entry at this time, yet Canada’s Level 2 health notice “reminds [travellers] to practise enhanced health precautions,” the advisory stated. Expect tighter screening if the World Health Organization upgrades the global polio status.

Bottom line

Spain’s wildfire season and West Africa’s security turbulence have converged to create new red lines on Canada’s travel map. Whether you are plotting a vineyard tour in Castilla y León or contemplating gold-mine meetings in Ouagadougou, consult the latest alerts, secure robust insurance and have an exit strategy before you go. — Source: Canadian government travel advisory