TONY ABBOTT has taken a tumble as he stepped out of a fire truck to help battle a bushfire in Sydney’s north.

The former prime minister and volunteer firefighter joined crews at Castle Cove where the blaze broke out on Saturday morning.

The NSW Rural Fire Service sent an air crane to douse the fire at Castle Cove, which had threatened to jump the water to Killarney Heights.

They said the fire is burning behind properties but no homes are currently under direct threat.

Abbott received a 10-year service award in 2015 from the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Thrilled to receive my 10yr service medal @ the Davidson Rural Fire Brigade AGM-congrats to Jason, Colin & Warren too pic.twitter.com/tmuzuMlQAH — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) March 8, 2015

Strong wind gusts are hampering the efforts of more than 600 firefighters today who are fighting to contain 36 bush and grass fires across NSW.

Two men have been injured at a major factory fire at Revesby where a car wrecking yard went up in flames at about 11am.

Two total fire bans have been called for the far north coast and north coast of the State.

Residents in the affected areas are being advised to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground.