Bushfire in northern NSW upgraded as it burns towards homes

Conditions are expected to improve for NSW firefighters as they continue to battle large bushfires in the north of the state.

The NSW Rural Fire Service issued emergency warnings for one bushfire at Drake and another east of Glen Innes in the Brother State Forest yesterday afternoon.

The warnings for both fires were ultimately downgraded after the threat eased in the evening.

RFS inspector Ben Shepherd said strengthening north-westerlies had caused some "quite erratic fire behaviour" yesterday.

Statewide, 57 bush and grass fires were burning in the afternoon and about 20 were not contained.

Mr Shepherd said today's conditions would be more favourable but there was a chance of thunderstorms and lightning "so we will be watching that carefully".

Most regions of NSW have been given a low-moderate fire danger rating today.

However, New England and the Northern Slopes face a very high fire danger, while the North Western and Far North Coast regions have been given a high fire danger rating.