RFS operations support officer Keith Meehan said yesterday powerlines arcing and coming into contact with a tree were believed to have started the latest fire on Wiagdon Hill, 30 kilometres north of Bathurst.

“Three fire bombers came in from Canobolas to help firefighters from Wattle Flat, Peel, Eglinton and Bathurst RFS headquarters after the fire was reported at 5.19pm on Wednesday,” Mr Meehan said.

“The brigades were under the supervision of two group captains in an operation in rough country, with a fire burning from west to east and south to the top of a ridge.”

Mr Meehan said the deployment of aircraft in communication with firemen on the ground was the key to containing the fire as it burnt through scrubby country.

After the fire bombers had been over the fire the ground crews utilised tankers to contain the fire after it burnt out about eight hectares.

The fire was contained between 9pm-10pm and brigade members returned yesterday to mop up.

According to Mr Meehan, it was the second warning to property owners in the Bathurst district to take preventative measures to reduce fire risks in the midst of a heatwave and an extreme fire danger period across the Central West and much of the State.

Mr Meehan said acting Bathurst Zone RFS manager Greg Wardle sounded a warning after a fire started in a barbecue site near Sallys Flat on Sunday and burnt through grass close to homes.

Mr Wardle said the north of the district appeared to have hayed off ahead of other places and was the part of the Bathurst district where people needed to take action to minimise potential fire hazards.

The acting zone manager also announced an immediate suspension of any burning off permits due to the very high to extreme fire danger.