Rural Fire Services called for diligence as temperatures rise and dry out fuel loads around the region.

“Temperatures will be up there in the 40s again tomorrow (Saturday),” RFS superintendent for the Namoi and Gwydir zone, Michael Brooks, said on Friday.

“With these higher temperatures, ignition is a lot easier. Thankfully, there’s not a lot of wind forecast, plus ground moisture is still very good.”

While recent rainfall has smiled on the fire service and landholders, Superintendent Brooks said there would be an opportunity for more preparation.

“People need to slash their breaks again and look to remove any growth around their assets,” he said.

New England RFS inspector Tim Butcher agreed landholders should continue with hazard reduction measures.

“It is important to get preparations done now, with a long, hot,dry summer predicted,” he said. Residents in the New England zone are allowed to burn with permits this weekend, but Inspector Butcher warned that increased winds should deter locals from burning.

“If wind speeds get up over 15km/h, don’t light a fire. Find out about forecast winds, because they do have a tendency to blow up in the afternoon,” Inspector Butcher said.

He also said the fire danger rating was listed as “high” for New England and said underlying fuel moisture was the reason for the relatively low rating – the second-lowest of six possible ratings.

Meanwhile, in the south of the state, RFS authorities have asked farmers to cease any harvesting operations until further notice due to hot and windy conditions.

Harvest bans extended from the Riverina and out toward the Far West of the state.

Temperatures were predicted to hit 40C in Tamworth on Friday; however, the mercury peaked at 37.4C at 3.30pm, falling well short of the city’s record for November when thermometers hit 42.2C in 1968.

Gunnedah and Moree both hit the 40-plus mark, though, and 42C is expected in Moree on Saturday, 37C in Tamworth and 33C up on the tablelands in Armidale.

There is a slight chance of rain tomorrow, with temperatures backing off slightly, before rising again in the middle of next week as a strong high-pressure system moves into the Great Australian Bight.