The Rural Fire Service battled a number of fires n the Namoi-Gwydir Zone on Tuesday.

Superintendent Brett Loughlin says the largest was around 25 hectares.

He says crews were able to contain them, in spite of the strong winds.

“Well, we had two grassfires; one of concern was north of Warialda and it burned out an area of about 25 hectares before firefighters were able to contain it and heavy plant’s been used on it today to take care of some trees of concern,” he said.

“There was a fire near Pallamallawa, just off the Gwydir Highway, and firefighters contained that fire to one to two hectares.”

Also on Tuesday, crews from Fire and Rescue New South Wales announced they are heading south to assist in the bushfire emergency in the Sydney Basin.

Fire and Rescue Inspector, Rod Chetwynd, says a strike team comprising firefighters and fire trucks from Tamworth, Coonabarabran, Inverell and Armidale are heading south.

A truck from the Armidale Training Centre has also joined the contingent.

Rod Chetwynd says plenty of crew will be left to deal with emergencies at home.

He says information on the targeted deployment of brigade members is still coming through.

“We don’t have all the details at this stage, that’ll be the decision of the Commanders down there, the overall Commanders of the RFS and also the Commanders of Fire and Rescue NSW,” he said.

“We’ll be getting down there first thing on Wednesday and then we’ll be at the beck and call of the Commanders in control of the incident.”

Inspector Chetwynd says crews were briefed on Tuesday on what to expect when they reach the fire ground.

“There’s the classic fire conditions that have fanned a number of fires throughout the years that we’ve seen, and that is the high temperatures, the low humidity, and the strong westerly winds,” he said.

“So, I think both services, the RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW, will just need to get as many resources as they can in the area, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”