The long-running drought has left grasslands parched and forested areas tinder dry around Cowra, Canowindra and Blayney.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Chifley zone might have called an early start to its bushfire danger period, but RFS district services co-ordinator Brett Bowden said this will not happen in the Canobolas Zone.

In the Canobolas Zone, the bushfire danger period will commence on October 1 and already firefighters have mapped out their areas of greatest concern.

"Most of our area is in a pretty severe drought and grassland fuels are pretty non-existent," Mr Bowden said.

"National parks, state forests, anywhere that's forested is probably going to be the risk this year."

Mr Bowden said it will be a challenging bushfire danger period for firefighters due to the drought conditions, but they are prepared.

"We definitely think it will be a very testing summer period, it'll be hotter and drier," he said.

Until bushfire danger period commences, anyone who wishes to light a fire in the open will require a permit, which are free and can be obtained from your local fire station or fire control centre.

When conditions are volatile, such as on days of very high, severe, extreme or catastrophic fire danger, the NSW RFS may declare a total fire ban, prohibiting the lighting of any fire in the open, even if you have a fire permit.

On a day of total fire ban the lighting of fires is prohibited. This includes cooking fires using incinerators and barbecues which burn solid fuel, such as wood or charcoal.

Gas or electric barbecues are permitted under the following conditions:

For further information on how you can protect your property, or to download a Bush Fire Survival Plan, visit the NSW RFS website or call 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737).

For information on current fires, download the NSW RFS Fires Near Me app to your phone or tablet.