Agriculture counting the cost of fires

Almost 66,000ha was burnt in fires which stretched across the south and west of the state.

Statistics show there were 132 incidents yesterday, with 468 trucks mobilised and 1674 firefighters called to duty.

It’s harder to get a real picture of what is going on in terms of farming losses, though the news is becoming clearer this morning as staff from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities assess stock.

They report there could be as many as 100,000 stock lost in fires at Yass, Jugoing and Harden.

One of the fires still burning is near Jerilderie, which started from a lightning strike on Monday night.

It has already burnt 3100ha but according to the RFS is “being controlled”.

A fire near Jugiong which has burnt more than 16,000ha is still out of control.

Most other fires around southern NSW are believed to be under control.

Premier Barry O'Farrell said the fact that Tuesday had passed without loss of life or homes was a "remarkable tribute" to the planning of the RFS and other emergency services.

He said an estimated 10,000 sheep had been lost in the Yass shire alone, equivalent to $1 million of losses to farmers.

NSW had learned from the devastating 2009 Victorian fires, Mr O'Farrell said on a tour of the Yass shire.

"Whether it's the neighbourhood safety places, the early warnings, the bushfire survival plans and the clarity around whether to come and whether to go, we have learned those lessons," he said.

As three teenage boys charged with deliberately lighting a fire in Sydney's west were released on bail, Mr O'Farrell backed a suggestion from Yass Shire mayor Rowena Abbey that firebugs should be made to face the terrible consequences of fires. 

Ms Abbey said arsonists should be made to help put down animals injured in fires they lit.

Mr O'Farrell said he was angry and expressing "community frustration" that the three teenagers were released immediately.

"I still think that keeping them in overnight, for two nights, might have helped sink the message in," he said.

NSW residents in 37 communities fire-affected communities will be able to access emergency natural disaster assistance. 

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