6.25pm - FIRE crews at the Long Point fire are considering putting in a backburn tonight on the fire's southern border.
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NSW Rural Fire Services Canobolas Zone manager David Hoadley said wind is pushing the fire in a north-easterly direction this afternoon.
"The conditions are nearly ideal for us right now [but] there's likely to be more smoke," he said.
Mr Hoadley said they should know by tomorrow morning if the backburn was successful in helping to contain the fire.
The fire grew ihas grown in size to 284 hectares with crews and resources brought in from across NSW since it begun on New Year's Eve.
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2.45pm - WINDS are expected to pick up this afternoon with the Long Point fire north of Orange continuing to grow in size.
Over 250 hectares have now been burnt out by the blaze.
"It'll keep doing that until we get in contained," NSW Rural Fire Service Canobolas Zone manager David Hoadley said.
"The southern area is a concern, we can't get in there because it's an inaccessible area.
"We're currently doing aerial attacks."
Mr Hoadley said the fire is still about two kilometres from homes.
View the Long Point fire photo gallery here.
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10.15am - PREDICTED hot weather, winds and low humidity have firefighters at Long Point north of Orange scrambling to contain a fire.
NSW Rural Fire Service duty officer Steve Smith said the predicted 36 degrees temperature, combined with wind and eight percent humidity will make make life tough for his crews.
"It's conducive to excessive fire conditions," Mr Smith said.
"We will be actively patrolling and responding to conditions."
The fire has increased in size dramatically since it started on New Year's Eve and has burnt out 210 hectares of scrub and grassland.
Firefighters say the fire started after a man let fireworks off at a Long Point property.
Four water bombers and four helicopters will continue to attack the fire which is burning is rough and steep terrain.
Heavy plant equipment will also continue to work to create containment lines around the fire.
Mr Smith said two small spot fires started on the eastern side of the Macquarie River last night but were quickly extinguished.
He has reminded all residents they need to have a Bushfire Survival Plan for their home and family to plan for any emergency.
Check out this video from the Long Point fire.
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FIREFIGHTERS are still on scene at the Long Point fire north of Orange, which increased in size overnight to 170 hectares.
Late afternoon winds pushed the fire in a north-east direction and overnight it jumped the Macquarie River with fears the historic village of Hill End could come under ember attack.
Fire investigators arrived on scene yesterday and will be working with NSW Police to determine the cause of the huge blaze.
NSW RFS Canobolas Zone manager David Hoadley said they believe the fire started after a man let off fireworks in the area on New Year’s Eve.
“We’ll be working with police to ensure if that’s correct that those responsible will be held accountable by the law,” he said.
Mr Hoadley said if it is determined that it was fireworks that started the huge blaze the NSW RFS will be pursuing “appropriate legal action”.
Fireworks can only be lit by people with a permit and trained personnel on site.