NSW faces worst fire danger day in history

The worst bushfire conditions in many years are expected to hit NSW on Tuesday, firefighters say. Source: AAP

AS NSW braces for the worst fire danger day in the state's history, people are being urged to leave campsites and evacuate homes in areas most at risk.

A total fire ban will be in place across NSW on Tuesday as the state experiences severe, extreme and catastrophic fire conditions.

"Having had record rain ... we are about to have record dangers," Premier Barry O'Farrell told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

Temperatures in the state's far west are predicted to hit 45 degrees, while in Sydney the mercury is forecast to climb to 43 degrees - the third highest temperature on record.

Mr O'Farrell urged those living in Shoalhaven, the Illawarra and the southern ranges to be prepared, with a catastrophic fire danger warning in place.

"It is the worst fire danger day that parts of the state have experienced in the history of NSW."

Mr O'Farrell said it would be "very rare" for there to be no loss of property but he was confident that loss of life could be avoided.

Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said people camping in the worst-affected areas should leave as emergency services closed national parks, camping grounds and other facilities there.

"Pack up and be out on the road first thing tomorrow," he said.

Where appropriate, nursing homes and child care centres will also be evacuated.

Mr Fitzsimmons said it was "not recommended" that people living in catastrophic fire danger zones remained behind to protect their properties.

"We are talking about fire danger right off the conventional chart," he said.

"Some fires will start and spread so quickly that there will be little or no time to issue a warning."

An abundance of fuel and strong north-westerly winds of between 60 to 80km/h have heightened fire dangers, Mr Fitzsimmons said, with about 90 fires burning across the state on Monday.

Twenty were still not contained on Monday afternoon.

While "thousands and thousands" of firefighters and up to 70 aircraft were on standby, Mr Fitzsimmons said people needed to have a bushfire survival plan in place.

For Sydney, The Bureau of Meteorology NSW regional director Barry Hanstrum said hot weather would begin early on Tuesday and persist into the early hours of Wednesday.

Temperatures are then set to increase again heading into the weekend.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner and State Emergency Operation Controller Mick Fuller said police would be targeting suspected or known arsonists on Tuesday and he asked people to be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour.

A "watch and act" warning was issued on Monday afternoon with a fast moving 400 hectare grass fire burning out of control about 14km northeast of Wagga Wagga, threatening the village of Oura.

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