![BUSH FIRE: An ariel shot of the Pilliga fire captured from a Rural Fire Service firefighting aircraft. Photo: NSW Rural Fire Service BUSH FIRE: An ariel shot of the Pilliga fire captured from a Rural Fire Service firefighting aircraft. Photo: NSW Rural Fire Service](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/C4JUxUgBmizGtYQDYd7B2f/9d2f4f40-074e-4b21-91e5-d012a4fa5372.jpg/r0_51_960_676_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
RURAL Fire Service (RFS) crews from Narrabri and Coonabarabran are working hard to contain a bush fire 60 kilometres south of Narrabri in the Pilliga National Park.
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The blaze started at around 1pm on Wednesday afternoon and has so far burnt more than 1500 hectares of bush land.
![SMOKEY: Steve Mason captured the plume of smoke from the Pilliga fire that can be seen from as far away as Mullaley. Photo: Steve Mason SMOKEY: Steve Mason captured the plume of smoke from the Pilliga fire that can be seen from as far away as Mullaley. Photo: Steve Mason](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/C4JUxUgBmizGtYQDYd7B2f/967607f7-9dbe-4342-ab06-c9b8fe392017.JPG/r0_0_800_480_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Local aircraft has been used to help dump water on the fire with a larger aircraft from Sydney flying up in the late afternoon to lend assistance to the fire containment efforts.
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RFS superintendent Michael Brooks said the fire was creating a large plume of smoke that can be seen from as far away as Mullaley.
“Yesterday due to a south-easterly breeze there was large plume of smoke above the Wee Waa area,” Superintendent Brooks said.
“It is hanging heavily overhead and we suggest anybody with respiratory problems should try to remain in doors as much as possible.”
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a hot weekend with temperatures to exceed 40 degrees celsius, conditions which, Superintendent Brooks said will not help firefighters.
“The expected upcoming weather conditions could be challenging,” he said.
“We want to encourage everyone to practice good fire safety, have a fire plan ready and to be aware of current fire conditions near them.”
![PLUME OF SMOKE: Steve Mason captures the plume of smoke from the Pilliga fire at sunset on Wednesday. Photo: Steve Mason PLUME OF SMOKE: Steve Mason captures the plume of smoke from the Pilliga fire at sunset on Wednesday. Photo: Steve Mason](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/C4JUxUgBmizGtYQDYd7B2f/d306dc8d-ad64-4917-a581-20d9cf27483a.jpg/r0_0_3000_2250_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
For more information regarding fire activity visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.