Bushfire turns into blazing tornado of smoke and flames in NSW

A bushfire has turned into a blazing tornado of smoke and flames in NSW's Central West.

Video released by the NSW Rural Fire Service shows a bushfire turned into a blazing funnel of smoke and fire in Cowra.

Firefighters had been battling the Conimbla Road fire outside of Cowra when it suddenly turned into a fire tornado known as a fire-generated vortex.

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"The strong winds it generated knocked crews to the ground and lifted the roof off a house, sending debris flying through the air," RFS said.

A fire-generated vortex occurs when turbulent wind and intense rising heat from a fire combine to form a tornado-like vortex that sucks in debris and combustible gases, which only fuel the whirlwind.

The Cowra fire is continuing to burn west of Lachlan Valley Way and north of Foleys Road towards Frying Pan Creek.

"Firefighters supported by heavy machinery and waterbombing aircraft are working to control the fire with a focus on the western edge today," NSW RFS said.

"Crews will work into the evening strengthening containment lines."

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The fire has burnt 379 hectares of land to date.

It comes as a heatwave is sweeping up from Victoria into NSW over the weekend bringing elevated fire dangers.

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