Côte d'Azur forests on high alert

The Var has been placed on high alert for forest fires as residents are urged to be vigilant

The months of July and August are always a red period for the region, with the chances of forest fires at a much higher rate than the rest of the year.

Officials in the Var were forced to issue fire warnings and an absolute ban on controlled burnings as early as March this year following growing fears that the region was becoming more susceptible to wild fire.

While the local government has decided to revise Wednesday's warning of an "extremely serious risk" to the Var's green areas, there are still serious concerns that the soaring temperatures could spark a large blaze and residents are being advised to be vigilant and responsible.

Back in May, France's Forestry Commission admitted, "one flame is all it would take for the region to catch fire."

UPDATE: On Friday morning, the Prefect of the Alpes Maritimes decided to up the warnings in the Estérel mountains, placing the region at "extremely serious risk" due to the strong winds expected in the Côte d'Azur over the weekend. 

Elsa Carpenter