The fire, which is burning off the Freemantle Road at Gowan, originally started on Saturday afternoon by a property owner conducting welding operations.

A spark from the welder ignited a grass fire which quickly spread across 78-hectares.

By Sunday, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighters had brought the blaze under control, and crews remained on site to monitor the area.

But, in gusty wind on Tuesday morning it reignited and spread into nearby bushland.

In just one hour it almost tripled in size to 217 hectares.

NSW Rural Fire Service district co-ordinator Mick Holland was among the team co-ordinating the firefighting operations.

By midday, he said no properties were under threat, however crews were preparing for the worst.

“We are conducting a threat analysis for nearby properties,” Mr Holland said.

“Crews are monitoring local property in the area [to see] if protection is required.”

Mr Holland said firefighting crews were working to bring the fire under control as quickly as possible.

“The fire is in rough pasture and tea tree and the main effort is to prevent the fire from getting into inaccessible country,” he said.

An RFS spokesman said the flare occurred on the south-east edge of the fire’s perimeter.

“Aircraft have been dispatched from Mudgee and Cudal,” he said.

Raglan Rural Fire Brigade firefighters were tasked to Bathurst Airport to help refill fixed-wing water bombers who were fighting the fire from above.

There have been no reported stock or property losses.

Meanwhile, a total fire ban has been declared for Bathurst and the Central Ranges for Wednesday due to forecast hot and windy conditions.

Temperatures are predicted to reach 39 degrees in Bathurst with wind speeds up to 45km/h.

No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a total fire ban.

Gas and electric barbecues may be used provided certain conditions are met. 

The total fire ban, which commenced at, covers the following council areas: Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Lithgow, Mid Western, Oberon and Orange.

A ‘severe’ fire danger rating is in place for Bathurst for Wednesday.

The RFS spokesman said smoke may be visible to people around the Freemantle Road, Gowan region.

“Do not report fires unless you see an unattended fire,” he said.