The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has reported that a number of fires spread from the Dorrigo ranges to Walcha have burnt off more than 6000 hectares of bushland.

Another grass fire at a property on Bithramere Ln near Winton was reported to the Tamworth RFS unit late yesterday morning.

Community safety officer Peter Roffe said the three units on the scene were able to control the fire.

It did, however, escape to a neighbouring property and was reported to have started from an on-farm welding incident.

“High grass fuel loads are causing some problems. This fire, which was only reported to us about 25 minutes ago, is a grass fire,” Mr Roffe told The Leader yesterday.

The thick haze was predominantly caused by two fires – one east of Armidale and the other near the Barrington Tops National Park.

“We have easterly winds in Tamworth which is bringing smoke into our area,” Mr Roffe said.

“The issue of the smoke is from fires situated a fair distance away from us, but there is low wind at the moment stopping it from moving on.”

The largest of the fires near Armidale in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park spread across 5508 hectares.

While many are enjoying the balmy weather following last week’s bizarre cold snap, the combination of warmer days and little wind movement inhibits the smoke’s ability to disperse.

A small scrub fire was also reported to be burning near Somerton, with two near Narrabri and another near Walgett.

These fires were under control, or in the process of being controlled, yesterday.

Firefighters were yesterday still trying to control a fire near Glen Innes that was burning across a 222ha area. 

Superintendent Chris Wallbridge said there were a number of units at the scene.