The ban covers the North Western fire area, which includes Narrabri and Moree, where temperatures are forecast to hit 41 and 40 degrees Celsius respectively today.

 It comes after firefighters from the Rural Fire Service attended a scrub fire on Oakdale Ln, about 15km from Narrabri, early yesterday afternoon.

They found the hut and vehicles alight, but nothing could be done to save them.

The owners are understood to live in South Australia and were not on the property at the time.

About 18 firefighters, five trucks, a grader and a bulldozer were on-scene and by about 3.30pm almost had the blaze contained.

But Inspector Brett Loughlin said it was a very hot day and they faced difficult conditions in getting the fire under control.

The maximum temperature in Narrabri reached 36 degrees.

As of yesterday afternoon it was still unclear what started the fire, which burnt about 15 hectares of land.

For the remainder of the region, total fire bans aren’t in place today, but there is a very high fire danger.

Tamworth is expecting a top of 38 degrees today, with temperatures expected to stay in the mid- to high 30s until Saturday.

A maximum temperature of 36 degrees is anticipated for Inverell today, while Armidale could reach 33 degrees and Glen Innes 32.

Inspector Loughlin said really hot days were unfortunately common at the height of summer.

“We’re always urging people to be very vigilant at this time of year,” he said.

A scrub fire on Windbourne Rd at Upper Manilla was out yesterday, having burnt 10 hectares since it was reported about 1.30pm on Saturday.

Firefighters remained there yesterday, monitoring and patrolling the scene.

A farmhouse was also destroyed at Gunnedah in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Anyone who spots a fire should report it immediately to triple-0.