The summer’s NSW bushfire conditions were the worst on record, as temperature records also tumbled.

A series of fires last month caused at least $20 million of insured losses, with one blaze wiping out the village of Uarbry in Central West NSW.

The fire destroyed 35 homes, a church, a community and tens of thousands of hectares of farmland.

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and NSW Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant visited NSW Rural Fire Service Headquarters for an update on recovery efforts.

Mr Keenan says the “catastrophic fire conditions” were worse than those experienced in Victoria’s Black Saturday fires of 2009.

“Despite these gruelling conditions, this fire season has had fewer fatalities and property losses than in recent memory,” he said. “But of course we must not forget that there are still those in our community who have lost their homes and livelihoods in recent weeks.

“The fire season is not over yet and we need to remain alert.”

Victoria – usually one of the most bushfire-affected states – has escaped relatively unscathed so far. Emergency Management Victoria says there have been 3000 fires, but all of them were minor.