Some 30 homes, 67 outbuildings and a church have been destroyed by the devastating bushfires that swept across NSW on the weekend - and it's feared the list of property losses could grow when authorities inspect more burnt areas.
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 small town of Uarbry losing at least five houses.
Another 51 outbuildings and a church were also destroyed by the blaze near Dunedoo.
There were further losses at Pappinbarra near Port Macquarie, Dondingalong near Kempsey and Boggabri near Narrabri with at least seven homes and 16 outbuildings destroyed it total.
Two firefighters lost their homes while fighting to protect other people's residences. Another two were hospitalised.
One firefighter was to undergo surgery for a severely lacerated hand while the second was transferred to Sydney for specialist burns treatment on his hands, arms and face.
But it could have been much worse.
NSW Rural Fire Services commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons on Monday expressed relief that no lives had been lost.
However, Uarbry had been rocked by the Sir Ivan fire, he added.
"I would suggest most buildings in the community of Uarbry are damaged and/or destroyed," he told reporters.
Warrumbungle Mayor Peter Shinton said he saw flattened homes, downed power poles and electrical wires all "over the place" as he inspected his shire, which includes Dunedoo and Uarbry, on Monday.
"The roads are closed, these people want to go back, but it's too dangerous out there," Mr Shinton said.
More than 2500 firefighters fought more than 200 bush and grass fires over the weekend with areas in the central west the worst hit.
About 60 fires were still burning on Monday night, including 19 uncontained blazes, and a Watch and Act alert remained in place for the Sir Ivan fire.
The fire, east of Dunedoo, has burned through about 50,000 hectares and has an active fire edge of 200km, while the Kains Flat blaze near Mudgee has destroyed 5000ha.
Cooler temperatures on Monday helped crews gain the upper hand before an expected return of more hot and dangerous conditions later this week.
"There's a lot of very difficult, dangerous, dirty work that's got to be undertaken over the coming days," Mr Fitzsimmons said.
"It will be not just days but it will be weeks before we declare them safe, contained and out."
The Sir Ivan fire was so "extraordinarily destructive" at its height on Sunday that it created its own thunderstorm with lightning.
"We were seeing huge amounts of ember showers being dropped out of that fire," he said.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian praised the efforts of firefighters before warning: "While weather conditions have moderated today ... we will see a resurgence with dangerous conditions later in the week."
"Our thoughts are for the many people who have lost their homes, lost their stock, lost their pets and who will return today to some very distressing conditions," she said.
Insurance companies have begun sending staff to bushfire-impacted areas to help policyholders. The Commonwealth Bank said it had activated its emergency assistance package for affected customers.
"It is too early to gauge the extent of insured losses," Insurance Council of Australia boss Rob Whelan said on Monday.
Share
