Total fire bans have been declared for most of New South Wales as residents are warned to prepare for hot and windy conditions. 

Conditions on Wednesday 14th February will be difficult for firefighters with RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warning residents to prepare their homes, follow their bushfire survival plan and remain vigilant. 

The RFS has declared total fire bans for nine regions - the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Central Ranges, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, New England, North Western, Northern Slopes, Southern Ranges and Southern Slopes regions. 

A Total Fire Ban has been declared for nine areas across NSW tomorrow. These include Greater Sydney Region, Greater Hunter, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Southern Ranges, Southern Slopes, Central Ranges, North Western, Northern Slopes and New England areas #nswrfs https://t.co/NP7Ww4FW2q pic.twitter.com/asSrELQqxc

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 13, 2018

Strong south-westerly to westerly winds coupled with the ongoing heat means the landscape is very susceptible to fire, Mr Fitzsimmons says. 

Temperatures are expected to reach 41C in Moree and Walgett in northern NSW and Muswellbrook in the Hunter region.