Firefighters have warned residents to be aware of heavy fuel loads after the hot exhaust of a four-wheel-drive started a grass fire near Culcairn yesterday.
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Hours later a house was destroyed by fire in Holbrook.
Rural Fire Service district assistant Shai Feuerherdt said at 4.20pm crews were called to reports of a fire in a paddock about six kilometres south of Culcairn, near Lowes Road.
He said firefighters have also recently battles blazes in Berrigan and Tocumwal sparked in paddocks.
"People need to be aware of fire danger ratings, weather conditions and fuel loading in areas," he said.
"People are out there stripping three tonnes of crops and there's at least six tonnes of fuel underneath it."
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Mr Feuerherdt said many new cars have exhaust systems that burn soot within the exhaust and run very hot.
"People need to be aware of this and be careful driving through thick stubble (and grass) because the fuel loading this year is very high," he said.
"It only takes one piece to land on the exhaust and sit in the right spot to start a fire."
Firefighters have also warned residents to ensure their fire alarms are functional and solar panels are correctly installed.
Fire and Rescue NSW's Stewart Alexander said police and firefighters were investigating the cause of a blaze which destroyed a home in Swift Street, Holbook.
He said the home was fully alight when firefighting crews arrived at about 3am, but after about 90 minutes they managed to extinguish the blaze and stop the fire spreading to nearby homes.
Mr Alexander said even though no one was home it was a timely reminder to ensure smoke alarms were installed and working.
Mr Alexander also said there had been 30 fires across NSW linked to solar panels, and while none were local it was essential resident used accredited and licensed professionals when installing and maintaining on solar panels.
He said the majority of fires occurred in the switch next to the panels.
Coming into the fire season, residents should also download the emergency plus app to ensure they were able to report their exact location to triple-0 should they spot a fire.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
