A man who was "always there if you needed a hand" has died while trying to save his family's farm from an approaching bushfire, his loved ones have confirmed.
The body of 56-year-old Richard Mainey was found by police on a rural property at Temagog, 30km west of Kempsey in northern NSW, after fire tore through the area.
With more favourable weather conditions expected until Friday, the NSW Rural Fire Service took the opportunity on Wednesday to commence back burning in multiple areas to help contain fires.
But with more than 110km of fire edge to contend with from the Willi Willi National Park and Boonanghi Nature Reserve blaze, crews expected to be working in the area for many days to come.
The RFS warned residents there would be an increase in smoke and fire activity as it raced to undertake back burning in the area before elevated fire danger returned on the weekend.
The blaze was downgraded to advice level on Wednesday afternoon, after it burnt more than 22,300 hectares as crews worked to protect properties on the eastern and northern edges.
Mr Mainey's family confirmed in a post on social media that he died in the fire, with his body found near a bulldozer on the property.
"Richard was a caring brother and uncle, he was always there if you needed a hand, he was a quiet achiever ... and a mister-fix-it man," they said.
"We will miss those dimples and cheeky grin more than words can ever say."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton paid tribute to Mr Mainey in federal parliament, extending their condolences to his friends and community.
Mr Albanese said he was concerned about the upcoming summer and potential for bushfires across the nation.
"We know that this spring and summer is going to be incredibly difficult for a number of our communities and may bring back memories of the awful black summer bushfires," he said.
"I urge all residents to listen to authorities and seek help if needed ... (and) I pay tribute as well to the extraordinary formal personnel but also all those volunteers who just do extraordinary work at this time."
Mr Dutton said a brave man had lost his life while trying to protect his home.
"Each bushfire season brings with it a new threat and the effort of individuals to protect their own property ... there is an inherent danger," he said.
RFS district manager Liz Ferris said on Tuesday while people were encouraged to get themselves to safety rather than defend a property, the decision was a matter of personal choice.
"We can't be telling people 'you must go'," she said.
"Of course we encourage them to go if they're not prepared; now is not the time to be doing a bushfire survival plan."
Fire crews used better conditions to bring several other blazes in northern NSW under control, including one north of Byron Bay that was halted at a retardant line created by a large airtanker.
That fire was expected to continue pushing north towards Brunswick Heads, but was downgraded to advice level.
