Christmas relief for firefighters

MELBOURNE - Christmas Day brought relief to firefighters battling blazes in New South Wales and South Australia.

A total fire ban has been lifted in NSW, though areas around the Western Plains and Greater Hunter are still classed as being in very high fire danger.

A handful of fires remained active yesterday morning but were remote and posed no threat to private property, Rural Fire Service (RFS) spokeswoman Rebel Talbert said.

"We have got some really hot weather but we're not getting the wind that we expected and that we got [on Saturday]," Talbert said.

On Saturday, 1000 firefighters and 10 aircraft battled about 40 fires across NSW, with an additional 5000 personnel and 14 helicopters on standby.

The RFS has cancelled leave for branch officers and superintendents, who co-ordinate volunteer firefighters.

Talbert said the cancellation would last over Christmas, as the service was preparing for more fires before the New Year.

Strong winds hampered firefighters attacking a bushfire near Burra in the mid-north of South Australia that burned 6055ha before being brought under control.

- AAP