Ahead of yesterday’s total fire ban, Rural Fire Service crews attended a fire outside of Walgett yesterday afternoon. 

South of Walgett on the Castlereagh Highway, a utility was towing a trailer with a quad bike when it caught fire, lighting the grass around it.

The fire set alight around five hectares of surrounding grass before it was completely extinguished. 

It comes as several schools across the Western Plains closed in anticipation of increased fire risk, a total fire ban has been issued and harvesters have been advised to stop harvesting operations and only resume if it's safe to do so.  

“Just be mindful of machinery and grass paddocks. If there is a fire, report it straight to triple zero,” said Northwest District Coordinator Greg Cassidy.

The total fire ban was in place for Walgett, Warrumbungles, Bogan, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Warren and Lachlan shires until midnight Thursday 12 October. The ban has been lifted today (Friday 13 October).