NSW bushfire death toll climbs to 21

The death toll from NSW's unprecedented bushfires has climbed to 21 following the death in hospital of an elderly man burned in Cobargo on New Year's Eve.

The 84-year-old was taken from his home on Tuesday December 31 to South East Regional Hospital before he was transferred to Concord Hospital in Sydney where he died in the early hours of Saturday.

"A report will be prepared for the coroner," a NSW Police spokeswoman told AAP on Sunday.

The 21 deaths have occurred across NSW since October as a result of the devastating bushfires that have burned through more than five million hectares and destroyed more than 2100 homes.