Yesterday's rain offered some relief for the Mt Nardi bush fires but not as much as expected although there has been some respite for fire crews. Lismore received the most rain with 40mm falling to 9am this morning while only 14mm was tipped into the gauge at Nimbin where it was needed most.

(photo from ABC North Coast facebook page)

Still, Paul Fowler from the Northern Rivers Fire Service said "patchy rain did occur across the fire ground yesterday making us cautiously comfortable with the future of the Mt Nardi bush fires".

"The rain did hinder access to some areas through the deterioration of roads for back burning to continue", he went on.

Yesterday's storm did provide some stunning pictures of lightening strikes across the Northern Rivers but this does present more potential new fires to start so fire crews were looking for new ignitions today. A spot fire was put out to the north of Tungun Road (above Whian Whian) earlier today while fire crews are back burning near the Rocky Creek area to secure containment lines.

While being cautiously optimistic about the Mt Nardi bush fires, Paul did say that "tomorrow sees the return to higher winds, higher temperatures and lower humidity so we will remain vigilant". "The fires will continue to burn in the coming weeks although the immediate threat has eased" he said.

Abrar Shabren from the Weather Bureau told the Lismore App that more rain is expected this afternoon but it will be isolated. "The front moving up from the south will not affect the Northern Rivers today and tonight so the best chance of rain is from some cloud activity building from the west", he said.

Abrar went on to explain that we should get between 5 and 10mm today but it will be quite isolated. "You will get 10mm in one area then two kilometres away you can get nothing", he said.