The most significant fire is in the Barigan area – approximately 40km to the east of Mudgee - which began late Tuesday and has burned over 100ha in mostly inaccessible terrain.

Crews worked overnight to strengthen containment with heavy plant and back burning operations.

Cudgegong RFS District manager, Superintendent Troy Porter, said that it had been relatively quiet for the organisation up until yesterday.

Cont below.

“We’ve had a number of small fires caused by lightning strikes,” he said.

“The main is the Barigan fire, which will burn about 400Ha, we are still working on it and carrying out back burning operations and we have put containment lines in place.”

Aircraft including the Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) DC10 Southern Belle – which had been in Richmond – as well as smaller aircraft, and heavy plant have also been utilised.

Lightning also started a fire in the Tichular area, east of Kains Flat, which is being worked on by National Parks and Wildlife Services.

There is the potential for more fires to develop from these strikes today, so call Triple Zero (000) if you see an unattended fire.

The fires within the Mid-Western Region has increased the amount of smoke across the area.

The region has been under a haze of smoke for a number of days – even before there were any local fires.

Smoke drifted across the area from a number of large fires burning around the state.

The RFS is asking the public to remain vigilant and if you see an unattended fire, call Triple Zero (000).