District Agronomist Luke Pope said those landholders who both had a fire plan and had time to enact it, fared best in the fire. They were able to move their stock to safety.

The NSW Department of Infrastructure and Industry (DPII) made a public appeal for donations of feed. Producers from Bredbo and Gundaroo were among the first to donate.

“There were far more offers [of fodder] than we could accept. Producers were so generous we had to call off the appeal,” Mr Pope said.

Mr Pope said the Michelago losses were devastating but could have been worse. He said had livestock been farmed more intensively in the area, many more animals would have perished.

Some livestock that was released or escaped during the fire are still roaming nearby countryside.

Mr Pope will work with Livestock Health and Pest Authority rangers to retrieve as many animals as possible.

Stock loses due to Michelago bushfire on December 17, 2009:

* 233 Sheep

* 67 Goats

* 13 Dogs

* 5 Cows

* 5 Rams

* 3 Horses