Residents that live near the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre in Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, are being advised to stay indoors today as a fire continues to burn at the waste facility.

Lismore City Council added community members that can see or smell smoke should stay indoors with windows and doors closed or use a respirator outside.

"Smoke could potentially be harmful to people with respiratory or lung problems, and residents within the area that can smell or see smoke are urged to stay indoors with windows and doors closed or use a respirator if going outside," Lismore City Council said on its Facebook page.

"People with asthma who can see or smell smoke can collect free respirators at the Bunnings trade desk by showing ID with a residential address within or around Lismore."

"Residents should turn off heating and cooling systems if these draw air from outside."

The fire at the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre was discovered in the early hours of this morning and emergency service personnel are on site containing the blaze.

The fire is burning in green waste piles and the Materials Recovery Facility where plastics are processed.

Fire crews are working to contain the blaze within the Materials Recovery Facility immediately. Fire crews have advised that the fire could smoulder for up to a week within the green waste piles.

The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre is closed until further notice.

Community information:

• There is a fire at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre at Wyrallah Road, East Lismore.

• The fire is under control and emergency service crews are working to extinguish the blaze.

• Wind is causing the smoke to be blown in an easterly direction at present.

• The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre is closed until further notice.

• Wyrallah Road remains open to traffic.

• Community members should avoid the area if possible.

• Community members that can see or smell smoke should stay indoors with windows and doors closed or use a respirator outside. Residents should turn off heating and cooling systems if these draw air from outside.

If you can smell smoke, please note:

• Smoke can affect people's health.

• People with pre-existing health problems, heart or lung conditions (including asthma), children, pregnant women and older people are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke.