Under control within an hour, fire captain Paul Langley said it was fortunate there was minimal wind to fan the flames across the one to hectares of scrub land, as houses were nearby. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

The bushfire season for the region remains on course for October 1, although warnings remain for anyone seeking to burn-off to follow correct procedures in the face of the large amount of dry fuel sitting on the ground. 

Bushfires and Natural Hazards CRC released its outlook for southern Australia's 2016 bushfire season last week. It predicts that in many parts of Australia the start of the bushfire season may be delayed due to higher levels of rainfall throughout spring, but that fuel loads are also likely to increase as a result.

“Every month of 2016 has seen Australia's national mean temperature above the long term average, although with the breakdown of El Niño, rainfall has been above average across most of the country - winter has seen the second wettest on record. The pattern of heavy rainfall following a strong El Niño is not uncommon and is tied to the warming of ocean waters around Australia,” states the report.

“Recent rainfall in northern New South Wales has reduced the potential from the early predictions of an above normal season, to a season that is likely to follow a more normal pattern.”

The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for southern Australia is used by fire authorities to make strategic decisions on resource planning and prescribed fire management for the upcoming fire season. Weather, landscape conditions and cross-border implications leading into summer are considered.

The Outlook will be reviewed towards the end of spring to take into account the impacts of actual temperatures and rainfall in the lead up to summer.

Volunteer firefighters will be on hand with advice on how to prepare for the upcoming fire season outside Forster Bunnings on Saturday September 10 and Sunday September 11 from 12.30pm.