Australia braces as fire threats increase

NSW residents have been told to brace for more total fire bans this week as bushfires threatened property in Sydney's southwest and in the state's interior.

A total fire ban was declared for much of NSW on Monday as temperatures soared over 40 degrees out west and the mercury topped 39 degrees in western Sydney.

A scrub and grass fire near Sydney's West Hoxton was contained by up to 50 firefighters after threatening homes.

The blaze erupted in Western Sydney Parklands and raced through bushland west of the M7 in a southeasterly direction, burning out some 200 hectares.

An emergency warning was issued for residents about 2.20pm (AEDT), but the threat eased about an hour later as temperatures began to drop ahead of a southerly change, allowing firefighters get the upper hand.

Emergency crews contained the blaze at a walking track about 200 metres from homes on McIver Avenue and Bonney Street -- the Rural Fire Service (RFS) was confident of mopping up and blacking out the fire on Monday night.

Meanwhile, firefighters have struggled to contain another outbreak burning in a pine plantation near Mount Canobolas, west of Orange.

The RFS expects the blaze in the Canobolas State Forest, near Clover Flat Road, to burn overnight and well into Tuesday.

A Watch and Act warning has been issued, with rural residents around Pinnacle, Giles and Berrilee Roads told to prepare their properties and remain alert for spot fires.

"We don't have any properties under immediate threat at this stage, but we are advising residents on rural properties in the area that they should make sure their home is properly prepared, and they should be aware of any spot fires that do start," RFS spokesman Anthony Clark told AAP.

With more hot weather forecast for NSW later this week, the RFS warns of further total fire bans.

"We are expecting the conditions to ease tomorrow but it is going to start hotting up again on Wednesday, and towards Thursday and Friday we are expecting some very hot conditions," Mr Clark said.

"We are likely to see more total fire bans across NSW towards the end of the week.

"The fire activity that we have seen already is a reminder to everyone that the fire season is well and truly here, and if people haven't done all that work around their property you really do need to do it now."

- AAP