The Blue Mountains bushfire that claimed almost 200 properties might have been prevented by a $100 tree maintenance job.

A tree with cables running through its branches is believed to be the seat of the fire that jumped a road then engulfed houses in Springwood, Winmalee and Yellow Rock.

Fairfax Media has established an order to prune the tree was issued by a power company in July.

On Friday the tree was surrounded by police tape and was photographed by inspectors from Endeavour Energy.