Fires are raging around the world as climate change continues to impact, and average temperatures continue to climb, and while we may be enjoying what feels like a rare bit of sunshine in the Northern Rivers, with a strong to super El Niño coming our way, now is the time to prepare for the fire season.

NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews are continuing to respond to a number of bush and grass fires across the Richmond Valley and Kyogle Local Government Areas.

The Rural Fire Service has again suspended fire permits in the Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley local government areas.

With the bushfire season starting early due to dangerously hot and windy conditions, a Total Fire Ban has been declared for the North Coast and Greater Hunter regions today, 6 October 2025, with more areas likely to follow.

Congratulations to John Nardi, who will be receiving the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM), in recognition of his decades of dedicated service to the Rural Fire Service.

The RFS are always looking for more dedicated and passionate recruits to join – particularly the Billinudgel, Main Arm, and Burringbar brigades.   

Severe weather yesterday saw rain, hail, flooded roads at Ballina and falling trees at Main Arm Public School and Federal.

After an unseasonably wet winter, the grass is growing like the clappers and the undergrowth isn’t far behind. It’s creating a large fuel load that significantly increases the risk of local fires as things dry out.

There is currently a controlled burn taking place on Koonyum Range behind Mullumbimby. 

Installation of an emergency services mobile tower on a popular visitor look-out in Wilsons Creek is on hold, after a local NSW MP raised concerns that the area had been misidentified as regrowth.