Australia Weather News

New South Wales could be heading for a horror bushfire season with the first fire expected in a matter of weeks, according to the Rural Fire Service.

The RFS is predicting a possible early start to the season as parts of the state continue to experience a prolonged dry spell.

The south coast, northern ranges and the central west are key areas of concern.

Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said after a long period of wet weather, the landscape had rapidly dried up.

"We could see very much the potential for an early start to the bushfire season in different parts of NSW as we head into this next couple of months," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

El Nino could intensify fires

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a neutral El Nino outlook over the next few months and some of the state's most significant fires have flared up in similar weather.

"We've seen some of the worst fires in recent years on a neutral El Nino," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

"Whether it is the January fires of 2013 or the October fires of 2013, where we saw some extraordinary fire behaviour and some very damaging and destructive fires," he said.

The statutory bushfire danger period usually spans October 1 to March 31, but the RFS will consider bringing if forward for some areas of the state if conditions worsen.