SYDNEY'S first major bushfire of the season on Monday served as a frightening warning to residents of West Hoxton to review and update their fire plans.

Just before 2pm the first calls to the Rural Fire Service were made, reporting a grass fire that was contained by the walking and cycling track around the Western Sydney Parklands.

Fourteen fire trucks, from both the Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire Brigades, quickly arrived. A total of 70 firefighters fought the blaze.

Two water tanker helicopters and a spotter helicopter were also flown in from their Bankstown base.

Police said the fire was started when a stolen Ford ute that was dumped in bushland north of the intersection of McIlver Avenue and 27th Avenue was set alight.

The vehicle, allegedly stolen from Marrickville earlier that day, was destroyed. It was missing its wheels.

The grass fire burnt out at least 100 hectares but did not threaten residential properties, Inspector Ben Sheperd said.

``Today was a total fire ban, so residents should have looked at our website and listened to the radio today.

``For a lot of people, the safest bet is to leave early.''

Nearby residents were watching from driveways and backyards as the fire was subdued and tanker trucks replenished their water supplies.

Mark Bennett, who is housesitting his daughter's house next to the parkland, said he rushed home when he heard about the fire on the radio.

``This is the third time in 10 years we've had a fire like this here,'' he said.

``Five years ago it came right up to the house but we were lucky our neighbour saved us with hoses.''

Jason Ramage, who also lives close to where the fire blazed, said living near bushland was a risk his family was willing to take.

``You've got to expect this anywhere rural it's a part of not having neighbours.''