The fire danger rating was very high yesterday in the greater Hunter region, which includes Maitland.

Rural Fire Service crews worked throughout the day to control a slow-burning, four-hectare grass fire at Black Hill, following a jump in temperature earlier this week.

The fire did not pose a threat to people or property.

Maitland residents got a taste of summer this week, with the temperature reaching 30 degrees on Monday and 33 degrees yesterday.

The mercury is forecast to drop today with a maximum of 23 degrees predicted for Maitland, which is closer to the average maximum of 22.5 degrees recorded for September.

Lower Hunter RFS spokesman Bert Pipan said wet weather in recent weeks had led to favourable conditions for the Hunter going into the bushfire season.

But he said conditions would become drier in November and December, which would increase the risk of bushfires.

A permit from the RFS is needed to light a fire anywhere in NSW, with a total fire ban in place from today until the end of the danger period next March.

These can be obtained free of charge from a fire control centre or RFS station.

Fines up to $2200 apply for anyone who breaks the restrictions.

RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons reminded people that it was vital to develop a bushfire survival plan in case their homes came under the threat.

He said research showed 73 per cent of people affected by last October’s major fires in the Hunter, Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains did not have a bushfire survival plan.

“While firefighters and emergency agencies will do everything they can to keep the community safe, protection is a shared responsibility and the community needs to do its part,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.

“Know what you need to do to prepare yourself, your family and your home before a bushfire and know what each member of your family will do if a fire threatens.”

Bushfire survival plan templates can be downloaded from www.rfs.nsw.gov.au