Mixed fortunes await the city and the region in the days ahead when it comes to the dry, dusty and smoky conditions that have been plaguing residents.
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The air quality improved in Tamworth today - dropping from a "hazardous" rating to "very poor" - and Weatherzone was forecasting up to a 90 per cent chance of rain by early next week.
The fire danger rating had been relaxed to "high" today across the North West, Northern Slopes and New England zones.
However, several fires in the region continue to burn tonight as firefighters ready for less-than-favourable conditions by the weekend.
The Tamworth area had some of the worst air quality in the state on Monday and Tuesday, when all residents, but especially those with heart or lung disease, were urged to stay inside as much as possible.
Schools notified parents and carers they would be "keeping the children indoors for their safety" and some sports were called off in the afternoon to avoid exposure to the pollutants.
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The Nundle bushfire is being controlled this evening, burning on multiple fronts in the Hanging Rock State Forest after having claimed 1207 hectares.
Almost 60 firefighters were reported to be working on the Kaputar blaze, which has spread over more than 16,578 hectares and is also listed as being controlled.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Olenka Duma said the conditions in coming days were looking "not too bad ... in comparison to what they've been dealing with recently".
However, she acknowledged that was "from a weather perspective, not a firefighting one".
"We have a front moving through over the weekend, so it probably won't reach the [region] until Monday.
"Ahead of that, we'll have warm conditions - temperatures in the low 30s, and we'll see moderate to fresh north-northwesterly winds."
Rural Fire Service Namoi/Gwydir public liaison officer Daniel Osborne said there was "still a degree of uncertainty" about what lay ahead, but there would not be "good conditions for conducting back-burning".
"Certainly the relative humidity won't be as high as it has been [on Tuesday and Wednesday], so that will mean fires will burn more readily as a result," he said.
"It won't be as favourable as we've seen in the last couple of days."
Rain chance
The Weatherzone forecast was for a hazy day then mostly sunny days over Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Tamworth.
There was a possible thunderstorm for Sunday in Tamworth and Gunnedah, which could yield up to 10mm of rain.
But the better chance of decent falls in those towns, and others including Inverell, Quirindi, Armidale, was looking to be on Monday.
That's when there was a 90 per cent chance of any rain predicted, up to a possible 20mm.
Breathing easy
With smoky skies set to linger across the region, Hunter New England Health has provided advice to residents.
Public health physician David Durrheim said seniors and those with heart and lung issues were most at risk, but everyone should try to avoid breathing in too much smoke.
"Staying indoors is the best way to avoid irritations to the eyes, nose and throat, and to avoid aggravating existing lung and heart conditions," Dr Durrheim said.
People were encouraged to, if possible, spend time inside with the airconditioning on a recirculate setting, and to avoid polluting the air indoors with candles or incense, for example.
People with asthma or a lung condition should follow their asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease action plan and carry their relieving medication with them.
Of course, seek medical advice if needed and call triple zero in an emergency.