Two units from Gunnedah Rural Fire Service attended the scene, along with police and a unit from NSW Fire and Rescue after receiving a Triple 0 call around 2.30pm.

The RFS also extinguished another fire on the hill on November 11 after receiving an emergency call in the late afternoon.

Inspector Steve Hall, from the Liverpool Range Fire Control Centre, said the  fires come as a timely warning to everyone to be vigilant as the weather heats up.

“A number of lives have already been lost in Western Australia and it is essential that people have an escape plan,” he said.

“The community also can play its part by reporting smoke sightings or unattended fires.”

Inspector Hall said that while the lead up to summer had been relatively quiet within Liverpool Range Zone, the long term prognosis from the Bureau of Meteorology indicates that this is unlikely to continue to be the trend.

“Recent rainfall, while most welcome, will result in rapid growth of grass and other vegetation that will rapidly dry out as the heat of summer arrives, providing fuel for fires,” he said.

“There is a very real risk of our area encountering fast moving, destructive fires this fire season, with a late addition of more fuels and an increasing risk of community complacency.  

“With hot daytime conditions, fires will be dangerous and difficult to control – with warmer night time conditions, fires are likely to remain active overnight, and may also restrict the ability for firefighters to undertake back-burning operations on large fires.

“In short, despite a relatively quiet start to the fire season, there is no room for complacency.”A Bush Fire Survival Plan can help you make important decisions about what to do during a fire –  like when to leave, what to take and what to do with animals.

“The fact is many people have died during bush fires because they’ve left their decisions to the last moment.”

Inspector Hall said Liverpool Range Zone has undertaken a range of additional preparations, including organising extra supplies, providing briefings to agency members as well as other emergency services on support requirements and ensuring all equipment has been serviced and tested. 

“The Fire Control Centre at Willow Tree has been set up to accommodate multi-agency co-ordinated firefighting operations,” he said.

“In short, we have done what we can to be ready for the fire season ahead, which is forecast to be a difficult season.”

THE Rural Fire Service offers the following advice to the community:

•  ?Avoid the risk of becoming complacent – fires can and do happen in the area, there will never be as many fire trucks as there are houses, sheds or items of machinery.  You need to prepare for fire.

•  ?Prepare yourself, and your property for fire.  

•  Check and update your Bushfire Survival Plan.

•  ?Check on the preparations of your neighbours, friends and family.

•  ?Check to see if you need a fire permit before burning off. Provide adequate breaks around your assets.

• ? Visit the My Fire Plan website at: www.myfireplan.com.au and share your tips with family and friends

The MyFirePlan app is the new and easy way of making a Bush Fire Survival Plan. 

With tips on how to prepare yourself, your family and your home, it also lets people know the current fire danger rating for their area.

For further information about the fire season ahead or how to prepare, contact Liverpool Range Zone on 1800 081 166 or email liverpoolrange.zone@rfs.nsw.gov.au