The official bushfire season began this morning, with the Rural Fire Service issuing a fire ban across southwestern NSW due to extreme weather conditions.

Assistant Commissioner in charge of operations, Rob Rogers, said there would be extra challenges for firefighters this season.

For the first time in recent seasons, there will not be a La Nina weather pattern, which brings higher rainfalls and less risk of fire.

The Bureau of Meteorology has also indicated that there is a 70pc chance that most of the state will be subject to higher than average temperatures.

"But the greatest challenge is still probably the drought," Mr Rogers said.

"At the moment, 71pc of the state is under drought conditions.

"Because of the drought, farmers have destocked, so the cattle aren't there to chew the grass and that presents a much greater fire hazard."

The State Government has committed an extra $36 million to the Rural Fire Service over the next four years.

Mr Rogers said the main priority is now recruitment in regional areas to replenish the number of volunteers who have leftthe land because of the drought.

The manager of the Temora region, superintendent Steve Holden, said he hears of someone leaving the area, virtually every day.

"There's so many properties for sale at the moment," he said.

"As soon as someone gets the right price, they pack up and get out of here.

"Thirteen years ago, there were 20 people at a meeting, now you lucky if there's six or seven.

"The thing is, when smoke goes up and there's real danger, people come out of the woodwork to lend a hand.

"It's the day-to-day stuff which is difficult at the moment."