Medical and emergency information, fire evacuations, RFS updates and your photos from the heart of the devastation. The Lithgow Mercury is collecting the essential information you need to know if youre in a fire-affected area.

- Do you have fire information or photos you want to share? Send us an email or message on our Facebook page

Lithgow City Council is advising that Tony Luchetti Showground has been opened as a safe place for those concerned about their safety.

From Facebook: Lithgow City Council wishes to advise that Tony Luchetti Showground has been opened as a safe place for those concerned for their safety regarding the impact of local fires, in conjunction with the Lithgow Workmens Club.

Please note that if at all possible, concerned residents should seek shelter with friends and family in the first instance as available space is limited. At this time, the facility may not be available overnight however any changes will be communicated to all residents.

Are you planning a road trip for Christmas? Use the Live Traffic websites route planner before an app on your phone. Some people are reporting that the GPS apps arent up to date and are sending people on routes that are no longer feasible due to fire.

Optus shares disaster support information as service goes down in some areas

Optus' says their network operations team are working closely with the relevant emergency services to access mobile infrastructure to restore services as a priority.

Missing man found but properties lost, firefighter injured on a day from hell

In a simple statement, the NSW RFS said: "In some good news: A missing gentleman from the village of Dargan has been located safe and sound...

Have you evacuated and need to fill a prescription?

If you are currently at an evacuation centre and need to fill a prescription, there is a way to get what you need.

Properties lost in Bell in Saturday bushfires

"We have lost properties in the Blue Mountains town of Bell. I have no details of which ones nor a precise number but this will emerge as the day unfolds," Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill posted on his Facebook page on Sunday morning.

'Massive' workload for firies through Xmas

These photos submitted to the Lithgow Mercury by residents are visitors to the area give a shocking first-hand view of the fires and how theyve affected lives in the area.

Do you have fire information or photos you want to share? Send us an email or message on our Facebook page