“The first heat wave of the summer blitzed our region with intense lightning storms early on Saturday morning and again on Sunday afternoon and night,” Cudgegong RFS District superintendent Troy Porter said.

“Thanks to sharp-eyed residents and travellers who spotted small plumes of smoke and called 000, we were able to get fire fighters to more than two dozen scenes of weekend lightning strikes when the fire was just a single tree or small area of scrub alight. Each of those might have grown into a serious bush fire if we had not received those prompt early warnings.”

RFS and National Parks fire fighters tackled some 21 lightning strike fires on Saturday, not counting a couple of burning trees dealt with by the Moolarben mine fire team and three others extinguished by property owners.

The pre-dawn storm on Saturday was particularly dangerous because little or no rain accompanied the lightning blitz.

“From Sunday afternoon into the very early hours of Monday a second lightning blitz, this time accompanied by driving rain and hail, sent the region’s fire teams to the scene of some nine more lightning strikes,” Superintendent Porter said.

“Again the prompt reports of smoke sightings helped us attack these fires while they were still small.

“With the onset of warmer weather and with fire dangers rising, it’s essential that everyone knows where to get important information and advice.

“We’re facing a very real increased risk of bush fires in the months ahead so it’s crucial that people remain vigilant, both where they live and where they may be visiting,” Superintendent Porter said.

“Bush fires can pose incredible danger for anyone not prepared or unaware of their surroundings, for example families camping or away on holidays and anyone travelling in unfamiliar areas. Whether they are at home or on the road this holiday period, people must remain aware of the Fire Danger Ratings for the area where they are by checking it daily.”

You can get the Fire Danger Rating from the RFS website at rfs.nsw.gov.au/fdr.

Learn about any fires in the area by visiting rfs.nsw.gov.au/fnm on the RFS website or by downloading the Fires Near Me app.