If you're one of those affected by the fires, here's where you can find help.
More than 200 homes in NSW and Queensland have been affected by fires. At the tie of writing, a state of emergency remains in place in NSW and residents in Queensland have been issued health warnings to stay inside and take precautions, as smoke blankets the state.
Hundreds of schools across both states have been closed closed with more than 100 fires continuing to burn in both states, some of which are not contained.
Some 1500 firefighters are battling blazes, with a number incurring injuries, including fractures, heat exhaustion, fainting and collapse.
If you're one of those affected by the fires, here's where you can find help.
If you've been displaced . . .
Emergency accommodation can be found at:
- Dorrigo Seventh-day Adventist Church, Cnr Rosewood Road and Tallowood Streets, Dorrigo NSW 2453
- Forster Tuncurry Seventh-day Adventist Church, 29 North Street, Tuncurry NSW 2428, Tel: 0447 444 424
For food and water:
- Gateway Seventh-day Adventist Church, 119 Avondale Rd, Cooranbong, NSW 2265
- Glen Innes Seventh-day Adventist Church, 60 Oliver St, Glen Innes NSW 2370, Tel: 0418 220 799
- Guyra Seventh-day Adventist Church, 50-54 Ryanda St, Guyra, NSW 2365
- Inverell Seventh-day Adventist Church, 50 Glen Innes Road, Inverell NSW 2360
- Kempsey Seventh-day Adventist Church, 108 Crescent Head Rd, Kempsey NSW 2440, Tel: 0424 842 158
- Port Macquarie Seventh-day Adventist Church, Maranatha Place, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Tel: 6582 6561
- Taree Seventh-day Adventist Church, Cnr Cowper and Gipps Street, Chatham NSW 2430
- Tenterfield Seventh-day Adventist Church, 113 Bulwer Street, Tenterfield NSW 2372, Tel: 0418 220 799
- Wingham Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1 Moon Street, Wingham NSW 2429, Tel: 0450 539 606
Government assistance:
Access 13 weeks of compensation for income loss directly related to the fires, as well as payments and allowances.
If your child's school is closed . . .
If there's no immediate danger and you're simply at home with a child who be in school instead, here are some ways to keep them entertained:
- Build an insect hotel
- Make beeswax wraps
- Treat it like a school holiday
- Engage in some cool indoor activities
- Make some chalk paint (and use them)
Communities across north eastern NSW are being affected by bush fires. (Credit: NSW Rural Fire Service, Facebook)
If your family member is a firefighter . . .
We can't even begin to imagine the worry you're feeling right now, but we are deeply grateful for what your family member is doing to keep everyone else safe. Come join our highly supportive community of mums at Facebook, where you can share your fears and talk about your concerns. We're here to listen, to pray and to care.
If you would like to help . . .
- The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA): With a strong global presence and projects, Op Shops and connections with churches across Australia, ADRA is well-placed to help in disasters. During the bushfire season, ADRA is partnering with Adventist Churches on the ground to provide vital material support and a listening ear to people affected.
- NSW Rural Fire Service: The lead combat agency for bush fires in NSW and the largest volunteer fire service in the world.
- Port Macquarie Koala Hospital: There are fears as many as 350 koalas have perished in the local area, with approximately 75 per cent of the area burned by fire being prime koala habitat.
