A bushfire that threatened the small town of Balmoral, in the state's far west, was accidentally started when a Country Fire Authority member took a cigarette lighter to long grass during a safety briefing.

The CFA confirmed Wednesday's dangerous blaze was sparked during a safety lecture when a member tried to demonstrate how quickly fuel can burn.

The CFA member responsible for the Balmoral bushfire is "very embarrassed". Credit:Jessica Shapiro

CFA deputy chief officer Alen Slijepcevic told radio station 3AW the man responsible was "very embarrassed".

"We do apologise to the Balmoral community," he said.