Fire ratings have been set at severe.

The ban spans five council areas of New South Wales, encompassing Queanbeyan and Palerang, Goulburn, Upper Lachlan and Yass, and further afield to places like Tamworth, Narrabri and the Warrumbungle, Cessnock, Maitland, Newcastle and Port Stephens, and Bathurst, Blayney, Cowra and Orange.

A total fire ban means no fires out in the open. A total fire ban helps limit the potential of fires developing, a spokesman for NSW Rural Fire Service said.

During a Total Fire Ban you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or to carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire.

No general purpose hot works, such as welding or gas cutting can be done in the open.

The NSW RFS strongly recommends you reconsider activities such as such using a tractor or slashing, to help reduce the chance of a fire starting on your property. Under certain conditions, the NSW RFS may issue a Cease Harvest request.

The RFS advises residents to be vigilant.

Keep informed by listening to local radio, watching television news broadcasts and monitoring www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

Total Fire Ban rules and a map of current Total Fire Ban areas are listed here.