Almost 20 homes were destroyed by bushfires in northern New South Wales as firefighters continued their efforts to stop them from spreading any further.

Key points: Despite the fire splitting around Tingha, homes were still destroyed in the town

Despite the fire splitting around Tingha, homes were still destroyed in the town Northern NSW has been gripped by several fire emergencies this week

Northern NSW has been gripped by several fire emergencies this week The three most dangerous fires at Tingha, Tabulam and Wallangarra have been downgraded

One of the most serious fires, at the northern tablelands hamlet of Tingha, has blackened more than 17,000 hectares of land and yesterday threatened to wipe the tiny town off the map.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has confirmed nine homes were destroyed, one damaged and a further 18 outbuildings lost.

A separate blaze at Tabulam has razed 10 homes, damaged six and destroyed 23 outbuildings.

A third major bushfire at Wallangarra has burnt three properties.

The Tingha blaze was downgraded to a watch and act at around 2.30pm and the RFS said there was a reduced threat to properties.

Firefighters continued to work with landholders across the fireground in an effort to contain the fire.

The NSW RFS has warned it may take several days to contain the Tingha fire. ( ABC News: Donal Sheil )

Captain of the Ku-Ring-Gai Bush Fire Brigade, Nic Lyons, said winds were expected to pick up through the day.

"Whilst the forecast is slightly better conditions, it can change at any moment, so people should remain vigilant," he said.

Graeme Fagg went to check on his brother-in-law's house this morning and found it had been burnt to the ground.

"Trevor and his wife have lived here for about 10 years — and now they've lost everything in this bushfire," he said.

"It's heartbreaking, devastating to see.

"We've never seen anything like this in Tingha - it was very scary when the flames tore through yesterday.

Graeme Fagg stands in the burnt remains of his brother-in-law's house at Tingha. ( ABC News: Mark Reddie )

"Our community is strong — we have already been helping each other out and we'll get through it, but it's hard."

"The firefighters have been great - giving us directions and making sure people are safe - they've saved so many properties.

At least five properties were also razed in the town of Tabulam, where another blaze has been burning.

Local firefighters in Tingha who are familiar with the land and its residents have proven an invaluable asset for crews, helping identify key hotspots that threatened homes.

"Having that knowledge was critical for our success today," Armidale firefighter Glenn Kirk said on Wednesday.

Armidale firefighter Glenn Kirk said the knowledge of locals in Tingha was vital. ( ABC News: Donal Shiel )

Michael Watts, a local firefighter of 22 years, said it had been exhausting watching his community burn.

"It's been terrible," he said.

"It's so devastating to see houses gone … we've done what we can and we're going to keep trying, do our best."

His colleague Brandon Livermore grew up in the town and joined the local brigade with his two brothers.

"This is the worst — I've never seen anything like this," he said.

"It's hard because it's home. My house was under threat today but we soldiered on to help everyone else."

The NSW RFS this morning warned Tingha residents to be alert to heavy smoke and embers.

The bushfire at Tingha remains a threat to lives and property. ( ABC News: Mark Reddie )

The blaze is burning towards properties in Gilgai, Ponds Creek, Old Mill and Stannifer.

"Properties in this area may also come under ember attack," the RFS said.

Strong winds were pushing the flames closer to Old Mill and Stannifer.

The RFS said in addition to the six homes razed, five were also damaged, while nine outbuildings were destroyed.

Woman charged as fires rage elsewhere

Police yesterday charged a 40-year-old woman in relation to the Tabulam fire, which has destroyed homes.

The woman was charged with starting the blaze when she set rubbish in her backyard alight.

The blaze at Tabulam was downgraded overnight but has burnt nearly 3,000 hectares. ( ABC News: Sarah Maunder )

"Doing something silly on a day like that can have unintended consequences," Mr Rogers said.

"So people please need to pay attention to the law."

The Tabulam fire has been downgraded to watch and act level and has scorched nearly 3,000 hectares.

Early this morning, it was burning west of the town and easing conditions had seen the threat to properties reduced.

Firefighters turned their efforts to slowing the spread of the flames.

The town of Tingha was surrounded by the blaze yesterday. ( Facebook: Adam Marshall )

The fire at Wallangarra, which is also at watch and act level, continues to burn on a number of fronts.

It has blackened 15,000 hectares and remains out of control, however the RFS said easing weather conditions had helped crews protect properties.

As the bushfire emergency raged into a second day, it emerged cows may have had a hand in largely saving the hamlet of Tingha.

With a population of 800, it is surrounded by a 3,000-acre "common". There are no trees, and grazing cattle keep the grass down.

That means bushfire fuel is in short supply, and the vital buffer helped firefighters split the blaze around homes and businesses.

Firefighters who are also Tingha locals say it was devastating watching the town burn. ( ABC News: Donal Sheil )

Colleen Graham stayed to defend her Tingha home yesterday, confident the common would help block the flames.

"A lot of the old timers here, we put a lot of faith in that Tingha is surrounded by the common," she said.

"Cattle keep that grass down so when it comes down to it there's not a lot of fuel to burn."

By mid-afternoon yesterday, all roads in and out of the town had been closed and while many evacuated to nearby Guyra, Dick Hayden had confidence in the common.

"Cattle have kept this dry grass in the drought very, very low," he said.

"We've got practically no grass around Tingha."