One thousand hectares of bushland has been reduced to charcoal since a fire broke 10km north east of Torrington, on the eastern side of Silent Grove Road, late Wednesday night. More recently 150ha was burnt after a fire developed at Flagstone Creek. As temperatures continue to rise today fire crews are bracing themselves for both fires to develop significantly.

An incident management team consisting of members of the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been set up at the RFS control centre in Glen Innes. They are closely monitoring the progression of the fires, developing and implementing strategies to control its spread.

Inspector Alex Chesser acting operations officer of the Northern Tablelands team said a significant amount of resources was being used to control the fire. He said RFS crews from Glen Innes and Tenterfield and members of the NPWS were controlling the fire from the ground. He said helicopters were being used where possible for additional support by air.

Residents were not being evacuated at this stage, Mr Chesser said. He asked residents to be aware and keep up-to-date on the fire by visiting the RFS website, listening for news broadcasts on local radio or by calling the control centre. He said residents should be ready to leave early or prepare to stay and defend their properties.

Mr Chesser said it is undetermined how the fire started but suspected the fires were ignited by lightning due to significant thunderstorms across the Northern Tablelands recently.

The fires and severe weather conditions are expected to continue though until Monday. Due to extreme dry and hot weather conditions all fire permits in the Northern Tablelands area have been suspended until further notice.

Meanwhile 140 fire fighters are continuing to battle a fire on Thunderbolts Way, near the townships of Gilgai and Tingha. The fire has burnt 2600ha since it started by a dry lightning strike on Tuesday.