Bee populations across New South Wales could be badly affected by a predicted bad fire season coming off the back of a dry, warm winter.

The warning has been issued by keen beekeeper John Scott, who is also a firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW.

Running 30 hives around the Southern Highlands, Mr Scott is in a unique position to observe the impact fires have on bees.

Hazard reduction fires are still being lit in many areas right into spring, and bushfires are already breaking out on the warmer days.

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"One of the issues with both hazard reduction and wild fires is that the spring flowers and blossoms — a vital source of food for bees after winter — can get burnt out in certain areas," Mr Scott said.

"Bees will only fly a few kilometres from the hive, so if the flowers are gone from within their range, that's a problem, and then it could take years for the flowers to re-establish in that area.

"Smoke from fires can also have a significant impact on bees, triggering a defence mechanism causing them to engorge themselves with honey and swarm from the hive, then you've lost your colony."

If the bees do not leave the hive in time, it can become full of smoke, suffocating them.

Smoke rises from a valley due to a hazard reduction burn in the Southern Highlands, 2015. ( ABC Illawarra: Sean O'Brien )

Hazard reduction burns

Mr Scott has been a full-time firefighter for 23 years, as well as a volunteer with the Rural Fire Service.

He recognises the need for hazard reduction burns to manage the potential impact of fires that can occur at the peak of the bushfire danger period.

"When it comes to bees, I believe a hazard reduction burn will always have a less significant effect than a wild fire," he said.

"For example, while the hazard burn might take out the understory, if it's cool enough, the tree canopy will not be affected, allowing the blossoms to flourish.

"Worst case scenario with a wild fire, it will come through quickly incinerating all vegetation and directly impacting the hives."

Seasonal risk: Bees crawl all over a grevillea bloom. ( Noel Mulavey: User submitted )

Mr Scott has developed techniques to mitigate the fire risk to his bees.

"You have to be proactive with your hives to keep the colonies away from fire," he said.

"During hazard reduction months, especially in autumn and spring, I'll check the Fires Near Me App every day to see where the burns are happening. I'll also check the weather conditions and wind directions.

"If needed, I'll move the hives to a safer location, away from fire and smoke."

He said it was best to move hives at night to lessen the risk of swarming.

Mr Scott said globally habitat loss was having a major impact both on European and native bees, causing colony collapse disorder in the most compromised environments.

In many areas, colonies are dying or simply disappearing.

Bees vital for bush regeneration

Mr Scott believes bees have a vital role to play in the regeneration of bush after it has been devastated by fire.

"Having bees in the area will help any plants that have survived the fire to pollinate and produce seeds, and having the pollinating insects is crucial to plant regeneration and bushland recovery," he said.