11pm

Wednesday was a quiet day on the Mt Nardi bush fire front. Good news for most residents in the Channon, Dunoon and Whian Whian communities. This was the blessing the southerly change brought into the Nightcap National Park early this morning. The negative of that southerly change was that it pushed the fire into more inhospitable land so the fire is covering a larger area in the last 24 hours. We started the day with a coverage area of 2,600 hectares but as I write it sits at 4,500 hectares in size.

The official word from the NSW RFS is that the Mt Nardi bush fire is still heading towards Tuntable Creek, Huonbrook Valley, Upper Wilsons Creek and Upper Coopers Creek. A resident in Tuntable Creek told the Lismore App that the fire was slowly moving to the south back towards Wallace Road.

Tonight firefighters are working to protect properties and establish containment lines. Here are more photos from Darren Janezic taken this evening.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the the winds are south easterly 20-25 kmh and tending easterly tonight. There is some hope for the chance of a shower on Sunday, at the moment it sits at 60% with a possible thunderstorm. Let's hope the rain does arrive and in the areas we need it most.

There are still a lot of school closures as you would expect. You can see them by pushing on this link schools.

A reminder that with the change of winds, the behaviour of the Mt Nardi bush fire could alter its course very quickly so stay vigilant and stay safe.

That is Wednesday done, more tomorrow.

11am

Our first update is a little late this morning due to the fact that the southerly change has brought some relief to firefighters at this stage of the day.

Nimbin Deputy Captain Charlie Cohen delivered some good news saying that "no more houses were lost at Tuntable and Terania last night. Ongoing battle".

Two houses were destroyed in yesterdays bush fire activity. There is still no confirmation on the destruction of the Tuntable Falls Community School.

Water

The Lismore City Council has just posted a notice about the state of Nimbin drinking water:

"We have been working with NSW Health to monitor the quality of water in Nimbin during the bushfires.

"At this stage, residents in Nimbin DO NOT need to boil their water.

"We will continue to monitor the water to ensure it is free of contaminants and safe to drink".

Evacuation centres

The Council also mentioned that the GSAC evacuation centre is now closed.

As we reported on Monday Southern Cross University is a new evacuation centre on Military Road, Lismore.

There are visible signs for those that do not know the area well. Please register at Zest Cafe on the campus.

Free Wi-Fi and computers are available. All facilities on the campus are open and available for evacuees.

The Nimbin Showgrounds is another evacuation centre.

Gatekeeper Paul Gibbon told the Lismore App this morning that 150-200 people at the Showgrounds with a lot of families including children with school closures.

Due to the lack of animal holding facilities there were only two horses at Nimbin with these due to be moved today.

Lismore Showground:

The unofficial evacuation centre, the Lismore Showground is also extremely busy with 150 registered people with a host of animals being accommodated due to the animal infrastructure.

Currently there are 10 alpacas, 20 goats, 80 poultry and 80 horses which will grow to 140 when another 60 are due for arrival later today.

North Coast National A&I Secretary Mark Bailey said that 120 people were served breakfast this morning by their 350 hard working volunteers.

The Lismore Showgrounds can comfortable hold up to 250 people so there is more room available if you or your family and friends need accommodation in the coming days.

A lot of people and businesses have been donating their time and their products in helping feed and making life easier for evacuees and their families.

Read more: Lismore Showground shelters bushfire survivors

Mark wanted to thank those that have helped so far....

Special thanks to the following people:

Betta Home Living for donating the washing machine, Coles for donating food, SALVOS for donating food, Mr Mozzarella for all the pizzas tonight, Adrian for his coffee van, NORCO for donating milk and softdrinks, DPI for the vets, Ian Philips for the $400 cash, the lady who brought in the cake (I love cake!!) Neil Woods, Sue Brand, Peter Engel & John Gibson for helping me today, Michelle Lee and team from Hookers for cooking breakfast, Shelley Oldham for her advice, Elly Bird, Janelle Saffin and Kevin Hogan for checking in on me, the Chaplins for visiting, the kiddies entertainer who just walked in and started going around with her performance for the kids, the Memorial Baths for the free passes, Donna Star Walker Kerry Shrimpton and Johnny Dawson for help in the office and around the ground and everyone else who I will acknowledge soon.



Rhod and Sally Best shelter at Lismore Showgrounds.  

The future

When a disaster hits our region we can be proud that the 2480 community rallies and gives unconditional support.

May that continue in the coming days and weeks of this bush fire disaster.

The ABC North Coast Facebook site has mentioned that the Mt Nardi fires could last until Christmas.

Rural Fire Service Superintendent Michael Brett speaking about the Mt Nardi fire today said: "This big issue here is that these fires are burning in remote country.

"We can only really deal with them once they start coming out into the interface with private property.

"I see us here until Christmas unless we see substantial rainfall.

"Fires are running in areas where people say they shouldn't be - you know, it's rainforest.

"But the country is just so dry and until we receive some moisture, the smoke haze is going to be around for some time.

"We're hopeful the community understands and it becomes part of everyday life that there are fires in the area.

"They need to be vigilant, they need to be prepared, and if they've got properties they need to start making sure they've got strategies."

More news as it comes through.