NSW firefighters have gained the upper hand over an out-of-control bushfire burning on the NSW mid north coast.
The Rural Fire Service on Friday said the blaze at Mortons Creek, near Port Macquarie, had crossed a road about 3pm and was moving east towards isolated properties.
"There are really strong westerly winds in that area this afternoon," a spokesman said.
"It's very dry, very windy."
A watch and act alert was initially issued because of the risk to the isolated properties in the area but was downgraded to advice level before 4pm.
"Crews have gained the upper hand ... the threat of fire has eased, with crews protecting a number of isolated properties," the RFS said in a statement.
No properties are currently under threat.
Dry conditions across NSW have led firefighters to warn landholders about conducting hazard reduction burns.
Hundreds of firefighters have been called to at least 142 bushfires in the past fortnight, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned on Friday.
"Given the dry and windy conditions are forecast to continue over many parts of the state for the next few days, it is vital that landholders only light up when it is safe to do so," he said in a statement.
"The dryness of the landscape and the lack of rain is worrying, especially when you take into account the number of hazard reduction burns that had to be postponed during the past two years due to unfavourable weather conditions."
Crews have received reports of people lighting up without providing proper notifications and "carelessly" allowing burns to escape, Mr Fitzsimmons added.
Landholders who fail to notify firefighters and neighbours face fines of up to $5500 and/or 12 months in jail while escaped fires attract penalties of up to $110,000 and/or five years in prison.
