The Canobolas Rural Fire Service (RFS) is bracing itself for a difficult week.
The Canobolas Rural Fire Service (RFS) is bracing itself for a difficult week with sweltering temperatures, low relative humidity and hot westerly winds expected to tip the fire danger rating into the 'extreme' category on Tuesday.
Currently the fire danger sits in the 'very high' category. If it reaches 'extreme' it will be for the first time since the warning system started in 2009.
Fires burning during extreme periods are likely to be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving, according to the fire danger rating chart.
Canobolas Rural Fire Service (RFS) duty officer Brett Bowden said Tuesday and Saturday are both forecast to be nasty days.
He called for the community to be prepared and expects a total fire ban to be enforced.
"We haven't had rain since Christmas Day and before that it was a good two to three weeks before the previous rain," Mr Bowden said.
"January so far hasn't seen a skerrick and there is no forecast rain."
As well as prohibiting open fires and campfires, a total fire ban will also mean no welding, grinding, soldering and other hot works in the open.
Harvesting operations including driving or using machinery in any grass, crop or stubble land are allowed but when the fire danger rating reaches severe or extreme the RFS may request harvesting to stop during the heat of the day.