Rural Fire Service volunteers, supported by ground and air equipment, fought for more than two hours to contain the blaze and to protect local property.

The fire burned through around 60 hectares of grassland, with swirling winds creating difficulties for firefighters.

Volunteers also had to battle heat exhaustion as temperatures hovered around the 40 degree mark.

At one stage the flames threatened a home but they were turned back just metres from the property.

The Rural Fire Service’s website now says the fire is being controlled.

1.40PM UPDATE: A grass fire burning out-of-control at Georges Plains has been updated to watch and act level.

Rural Fire Service personnel remain on-site trying to bring it under control.

It is not clear at this stage if any properties are at risk.

EARLIER: FIREFIGHTERS are battling searing temperatures as they try to contain an out-of-control grass fire currently burning near Bathurst.

According to the NSW Rural Fire Service website, the fire on the Wimbledon Road at Georges Plains was ignited by a vehicle or machinery.

The timing could not be worse for firefighters as temperatures across the region have already hit the high 30s and are forecast to reach 40 degrees this afternoon.