About 4am, firefighters from Belmont responded to a grass fire. The inaccessibility of the site meant crews had a difficult task containing the blaze and stopping its spread.

By 11am, the area was impacted by the high wind and additional crews were required to help subdue the fire.

Firefighters from Charlestown, Tingira Heights, Cardiff and Toronto responded to the scene.

Inspector Brett Crotty from Newcastle, who attended the scene as the incident commander, said: "Crews worked tirelessly to contain the fire in difficult conditions which were made more perilous by the gusting arctic like winds".

"Tactics were changed several times to ensure the blaze was confined and that vital major infrastructure in the area was protected."

Six fire crews attended the incident, which burnt out about 10 hectares.

Owing to Monday's windy conditions, firefighters from Holmesville, Lambton, Merewether and Teralba attended calls of power lines down at Barnsley, Adamstown Heights, Hamilton South and Booragul. These types of incidents are extremely dangerous as the power lines and items they are in contact with are often still energised and potentially deadly.

Never approach power lines that have fallen. Call 000 immediately and clear the area.