The three day operation involved seven Rural Fire Service trucks and two from NSW Fire and Rescue.

The operation was centred around the Bracey Lookout section of the reserve and on the slopes overlooking the Lithgow Valley.

Local RFS superintendent Greg Wardle said the intention was to provide protection prior to next summer for the Lithgow High School and properties in the vicinity by removing the dry undergrowth.

The burn began on Friday afternoon after the school students had departed on school holidays and continued through to Sunday.

The clouds of smoke prompted calls to emergency services from residents who had not seen or heard media notifications of the planned burn.

Mr Wardle said around 60 hectares had been burnt with RFS volunteers from Marrangaroo, Wallerawang, South Bowenfels, Hartley, Clarence and the Hartley Catering Brigade, as well as two crews from the Cook Street NSWFRS station.

Regional RFC controller Tom Shirt has urged bushwalkers to stay out of the blacked out area until rain and wind cause the area to ‘settle down’ after the burn.

He said there were a number of hollow trees affected by the burn and were at risk of falling.

The Eskbank Walking Track up the hillside to Bracey Lookout passes through the centre of the fire area.

Mr Shirt said the brigades were also receiving calls yesterday reporting more bushfire smoke across the district but this was drifting in from another major hazard reduction burn in the Winburndale area between Sunny Corner and Bathurst.