A bushfire that has destroyed or damaged at least 11 northern NSW homes is approaching an airport and remains out of control.

The Tingha blaze, which was downgraded to a watch and act alert on Thursday afternoon, is moving north towards Gilgai with firefighters battling flames near Inverell Airport and Ponds Creek.

Conditions eased late Thursday morning but the Rural Fire Service is still warning those ahead of the fire to seek shelter as it approaches.

“Take the advice of firefighters and beware of falling trees,” it said in a statement.

Some residents returned to scorched properties near Tingha on Thursday after the fire burned through more than 17,100 hectares.

Kim Deans, who sold off most stock on her eight-hectare property last week due to drought, said it was a miracle her home was standing and her last remaining cow and calf survived.

“We’re incredibly grateful our house is still standing thanks to the firefighters and locals who put themselves in harm’s way to protect life and property,” she told AAP after arriving home.

“And they’re still going (saving other properties).”

Ms Deans said one of her neighbours had lost their home while many others would have suffered livestock losses.

Kathy Vickery said her farm south of Tingha had little livestock feed because of drought and she was concerned how much the fire would destroy.

“It’s coming into the property but we’re very lucky we have cleared land so the house should be fine,” she told AAP.

“For everyone else, it’s going to be a very interesting day.”

The RFS confirmed the fire had destroyed six homes and nine outbuildings. Another five homes and six buildings were damaged.

Spokesman Greg Allen said conditions had eased late Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, a fire allegedly started in a backyard rubbish bin has burned through 4000 hectares at Tabulam near the NSW-Queensland border.

The RFS confirmed reports five homes had been lost in that blaze but said several properties had been “impacted” and the fire alert level remained at watch and act.

A 40-year-old woman is accused of setting alight rubbish in a steel drum in her backyard during a total fire ban and is due to appear in Casino Local Court on February 27.

Less than 50 kilometres west, another massive, out-of-control fire at Wallangarra has burned through 19,000 hectares.

Nearly 40 fires continue to burn across NSW. Ten are uncontained.

The RFS predicts it could take “days and days” for crews to contain them but desperately hope to before hot weather returns at the weekend.

“When the woman discovered the fire had spread, she rang triple-zero and unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish the flames with a backyard hose,” NSW Police reported on Wednesday night.

The woman has been charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless to its spread and set fire during total fire ban.

She is due to appear before Casino Local Court on February 27.

The fire, which continues to burn, has already destroyed several homes.

A number of schools were closed on Thursday, including Tabulam Public School and Drake Public School.

An evacuation centre is being established at Tenterfield Memorial Hall on Molesworth Street.