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The Heartbreaking Realities Of The Worst Bushfire Devastation In NSW History

Alex Ellinghausen caught the destruction on camera.

WARNING: Graphic images

Sunday saw the worst fire conditions in the history of New South Wales, reaching a "catastrophic" rating for the Upper Hunter, Central Ranges, and Upper Central West Plains.

The effects of the Sir Ivan fire were so devastating, the small NSW town of Uarbry was largely destroyed by the bushfire as it burned through more than 49,000 hectares of bushland.

Fairfax's renowned parliamentary question time photographer Alex Ellinghausen stepped into the country surrounding Uarbry on Sunday and captured some of the heartbreaking scenes caused by the catastrophic blaze.

Cattle and sheep farmer Craig Schneider relocating his stock at his property near Coolah, NSW, as smoke from the Sir Ivan fire east of Dunedoo, NSW, can be seen on Sunday 12 February 2017. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen
Cattle and sheep farmer Craig Schneider relocating his stock at his property near Coolah, NSW, as smoke from the Sir Ivan fire east of Dunedoo, NSW, can be seen on Sunday 12 February 2017. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Property damage at Uarbry, NSW, after it was hit by the Sir Ivan fire the day before, on Monday 13 February 2017. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen
Property damage at Uarbry, NSW, after it was hit by the Sir Ivan fire the day before, on Monday 13 February 2017. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Smoke from the Sir Ivan fire can be seen heading towards Craig Schneider's property. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen
Smoke from the Sir Ivan fire can be seen heading towards Craig Schneider's property. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
A severely burnt sheep is seen in Uarbry on Monday, the day after the town was hit by the Sir Ivan fire. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen
A severely burnt sheep is seen in Uarbry on Monday, the day after the town was hit by the Sir Ivan fire. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
A farmer shoots a badly injured sheep at Uarbry. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen
A farmer shoots a badly injured sheep at Uarbry. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Sheep fleeing from a grassfire at Cassilis, NSW, as firefighters continue to fight fires after it was hit by the Sir Ivan fire the day before, on Monday 13 February 2017. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen
Sheep fleeing from a grassfire at Cassilis, NSW, as firefighters continue to fight fires after it was hit by the Sir Ivan fire the day before, on Monday 13 February 2017. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Smoke from the Sir Ivan fire east of Dunedoo, NSW, seen from Coolah, on Sunday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen
Smoke from the Sir Ivan fire east of Dunedoo, NSW, seen from Coolah, on Sunday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Property damage at Uarbry, NSW, after it was hit by the Sir Ivan fire the day before, on Monday. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen
Property damage at Uarbry, NSW, after it was hit by the Sir Ivan fire the day before, on Monday. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Evacuated resident Nathan Blatch from Uarby views the glow of the Sir Ivan fire east of Dunedoo, NSW, from the Black Stump Inn in Coolah, NSW, on Sunday 12 February 2017. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax/Alex Ellinghausen
Evacuated resident Nathan Blatch from Uarby views the glow of the Sir Ivan fire east of Dunedoo, NSW, from the Black Stump Inn in Coolah, NSW, on Sunday 12 February 2017. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

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