The wind was starting to blow more strongly at Lismore Showgrounds this afternoon, where about 30 families and their animals were camping after evacuating from the Mount Nardi bushfire.

Lismore Show Society secretary Mark Bailey said at the moment, Lismore Showgrounds is a fire safety area, not an emergency evacuation centre. 

“There are toilets, showers and drinking water and free coffee,” Mark said.

“From tomorrow, breakfast will be made for those staying at the grounds by show society volunteers at Norma’s Kitchen.”

The showground is providing shelter for large animals and chickens, but not domestic pets.

There are horses, about 80 chickens as well as goats, horses, sheep and alpacas already sheltering at the showground, with pigs due to arrive later.

There is water at the site and the owners of the animals are bringing in food for them.

Neil Woods, a goat breeder from Modanville who looks after the goats at the annual Lismore Show, said he had now had about 60 goats at his property – most of which had been brought in from people in Tuntable, Koonorigan and Whian Whian areas affected by local bushfires, needing somewhere safe for their animals. 

“Sheep are the biggest worry in these hot conditions, they don’t do well in the heat,” Neil said.

Lismore Show Society president John Gibson said Greg Clark from Lismore Poultry Club is organising the transportation of chickens to the showground if anyone needs help.

The Winsome Hotel on Bridge Street, North Lismore is offering free lunch to anyone who needs it every day.

Ross Wilson and Avis Newton.

People, food and animal coordination

Ross Wilson and his wife Avis Newton were travelling through the area with their caravan and wanted to help out with coordinating people and animals at the Lismore showground.

Ross said anyone thinking of coming to the showground with their families and animals should ring him for information about the facilities and what they might need. 

Ross’s number is 0416 845 377.

“A woman from new Italy just rang and asked if she could bring her pigs here”, Ross said.

“Another guy has offered to be here to give body work or counselling services if needed.

“Mr Mozarella said he’ll be here tonight making free pizzas for everyone. 

“And the chaplain is here for people.

“People have been offering tents and camping supplies if anyone needs it, and the Tiny Homes people have offered the use of their big truck if anything needs to be moved.

Ross is filling and checking water for animals throughout the day at the showground. 

Avis said stall holders from the Channon Market – which was cancelled on Sunday due to the fires - brought their fruit and vegetables to the showground to donate to people who needed it.

“So, I got some bags and created individual lots of supplies which were handed out to the families staying at the showground,” Avis said.

Free coffee

Lismore resident Adrian Smith brought his coffee truck to the showgrounds and is making free coffee and salad rolls for people. 

He also has free cold drinks and frozen chocolate bananas, which were appreciated in the hot weather. 

 “It’s the least I could do,” he said.

“Our community needs help and it’s not too hard to offer something to others.

“I was in a fire at the beginning of this year and I lost everything. 

“It really resonates with me what people are going though – their feelings are intense. 

“We can’t even fathom what’s going o in their minds.

“I also went down to help out at Rappville HQ when the fires were on there and made coffee for the firies.”

Escape

Tim Proctor had evacuated from Nightcap Range Road, near Minyon falls and came to get one of Adrian’s frozen treats. 

“I’ve been living there 28 years and was going back each to day to rescue more stuff from my house, but the RFS are not letting any more people through the roads there,” Tim said.

“I’ve got what I could fit in my SUV, but I’ve still got lots of stuff up there. I’m not going back today.

“The fire came within five kilometres of my place and wind keeps changing.”

Rhod and Sally Best shelter at Lismore Showgrounds.

The first wave from Tuntable – Rhod and Sally Best

Rhod Best and Sally Best came from Tuntable seeking shelter at Lismore Showgrounds on Sunday night. 

They turned up in a ute with nothing and it turned out one of their friends had just brought in a fully set up caravan for use by fire evacuees.

“We were in the first wave of people from Tuntable Creek,” Rhod said. 

“There are still people out at Tuntable who live down near the creek. I hope they are okay.

“We were at the top of the range and we were forced to evacuate by the police. 

“We thought we had at least an hour to pack but we were told to leave now. 

“So, we went to the Channon market grounds and there were about six car loads of people there, but no one knew what to do.

“The drinking bubblers were on but the shed was locked so there was no cooking facilities or running tap water.

“We didn’t want to sleep in our car in a smoky atmosphere, so we decided to come to Lismore.”

Rhod and Sally said they were glad they were safe, but were watching the wind direction.

“We know that if the smoke starts to come over Lismore again, it means the fire will be travelling toward our house.

“Its horrible that if the wind is going the other way, its good for us, but bad for someone else.”

They said they were glad to hear the Hugh and Nan Nicolson has defended and saved their property at Terania Creek, near Protestors Falls. 

“They were instrumental in saving Terania Creek from logging 30 years ago,” Sally said.

“I’ve seen the Tuntable valley change so much, from being a cleared area to having lots of trees.

Accommodation, evacuation and information

Official evacuation centres

The official evacuation centres for people displaced by the bushfire emergency are:

Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre (GSAC), 50 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah.

Nimbin Showgrounds, 33-37 Cecil St, Nimbin.

Kyogle Memorial Hall, Stratheden Street, Kyogle

Cavanbah Centre, 249 Ewingsdale Road, Byron

Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club, 58 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby

Animal housing and camping option:

Lismore Showgrounds, 116 Alexandra Parade, North Lismore. 

Call Ross on 0416 845 377 if you're thinking of coming to Lismore Showground

Kyogle Showground is open for people who have large animals, but it is not an official evacuation centre.

People are encouraged to register at the Official Evacuation Centres before they proceed to the showgrounds.

Donations

Lismore City Councillor Elly Bird said that we are currently in emergency mode and anyone wanting to donate items such as blankets, food and clothing should not drop off items to the official evacuation centres until it is called for.

Register

If you evacuate, register your details so your family and friends know you are safe.

You can register in person at Nimbin Showgrounds, or via the Red Cross website Register.Find.Reunite https://register.redcross.org.au/

Information sites and phone numbers

A Facebook site has been set up to help with coordination of accommodation for people displaced by the fires:

https://www.facebook.com/Northern-NSW-help-and-assistance-with-fires-105569034234379/

If you require information about the current bush fires, please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.

For general information and assistance please call the Public Information Inquiry Centre on 1800 227 228.

Stay up to date with all fire activity by monitoring https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Listen to your local radio stations, especially the ABC, and monitor the NSW Police Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/nswpoliceforce/