Our senses reminded us this weekend of last year's horrendous and tragic fires, and while it might have bought a slight feeling of unease and heightened awareness back to some of us, thankfully there was no emergency.

Only a few days before the start of the 2020 fire season, which has been brought forward to start early on September 1, Wingham's Wallaby Joe NSW RFS brigade has been busy.

The brigade had one call out last Friday, August 28, two on Sunday and one on Monday.

However on Saturday (August 29) they really clocked up some miles. They started with a call out to Bobin, then Killabakh. Just before reaching Killabkah they were diverted to Krambach, and then just before reaching Krambach, they were tasked back up to Bobin.

RELATED: Bushfire Danger Period bought forward

Many of the callouts for Wallaby Joe and other local brigades were due to landholders performing hazard reduction burns which were under control.

But as noted above, people now have a heightened awareness that the fire season is upon us and are calling in the fires when they notice them. Which is a good thing, Kerrie Guppy, a volunteer firefighter for the Wallaby Joe brigade pointed out.

"People are very vigilant about calling fires in and the brigades are turning out quickly and getting out there," Kerrie said, wanting to reassure the public.

While it is tempting to be complacent about current conditions as we have had a welcome return of rainfall this year, there is a reason the fire season has started early, once again.

On Tuesday, September 1, as the Bush Fire Danger period started in our region, the RFS announced there are now 21 areas in NSW that are starting the season early.

"There has been a lot of vegetation growth, which is great, but grasses can dry out really fast," Kerrie said.

Over the past two weeks conditions have meant that the ground and grasses have dried out fast, but we can take some reassurance that the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a wetter than usual spring throughout most of Australia.

"It could go either way. Definitely there is a lot of grass around and it has dried out a lot the last few weeks, so grass fires are a risk at the moment," Kerrie said.

"Fires can start anywhere and things can change quickly. It only takes a couple of weeks of dry weather and some hot windy days. You've always got to expect the unexpected.

"But it definitely feels different to last year. It was tinder dry last year; we had drought conditions. We had a lot of die back."

The NSW RFS is reminding anyone wishing to light a fire during the Bush Fire Danger Period that they must obtain a permit from their local fire authority.

"Permits, which are free to obtain, ensure that fire is used safely and to minimise the danger to landholders, their property and the community," NSW Commissioner Rob Rogers said.

"While hazard reductions burns are an important part of preparations, landholders need to be extremely careful.

"Never leave a fire unattended and if a fire does escape, make sure you call Triple Zero (000) immediately so that emergency services can respond and minimise the damage."

RFS Mid Coast district manager, Superintendent Kam Baker said it is vitally important that landholders are prepared.

He said this meant undertaking simple tasks such as cleaning gutters, removing combustibles from properties, ensuring hoses can reach all corners of a property and completing or updating a bushfire survival plan to ensure residents know what to do in the event of a bushfire.

"I encourage households to update their bush fire survival plan and make sure the whole family knows what to do when faced with a fire," Superintendent Baker said.

"It could save your lives. Ask yourself, when you will go, what you will take and where will you go."

Information about hazard reduction burning, required notifications and obtaining fire permits is available on the NSW RFS Bush Fire Danger Period and Fire Permits website.