NSW firefighters are racing to gain an upper hand on the already devastating bushfires that have destroyed at least 30 homes across the state before difficult conditions return.
At least 30 homes have been decimated by bushfires during the weekend's catastrophic weather conditions, with that number set to rise as authorities on Tuesday assess the full scale of the damage.
Another 51 outbuildings and a church were also destroyed by the blaze near Dunedoo, while seven homes were known to be ruined at Pappinbarra near Port Macquarie, Dondingalong near Kempsey and Boggabri near Narrabri.
As residents return to their properties to assess the damage, firefighters are working hard during the easing conditions before the onset of bad weather later in the week, an RFS spokesman told AAP.
"We are racing against time before Friday where once again we are expecting to see temperatures on that fire ground hit the high 30s and coupled with those warm north-westerly winds," RFS spokesperson Ben Shepherd told the Network Nine.
There are 63 fires burning in NSW on Tuesday including 14 uncontained blazes, with a Watch and Act alert in place for the Sir Ivan fire.
A historic homestead on the $20 million Tongy Station was among at least 23 homes razed by the massive Sir Ivan fire in the central west, with the village of Uarbry losing at least five houses.
The Sir Ivan fire was so "extraordinarily destructive" at its height on Sunday that it created its own thunderstorm.
The blaze, which has burnt through more than 54,000 hectares, is heading towards Warrumbungles Way as firefighter and water bombers work to construct containment lines.
NSW faced its worst day in the history of fire danger ratings and fire danger conditions on Sunday according to RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons with an average temperature of 44C on Sunday and strong winds.
As of Monday, two firefighters had been hospitalised - one with a severely lacerated hand, the other with burns to his hands, arm and face.
