A Haze of Bushfire Smoke Is Currently Affecting the Air Quality in Sydney

Sydneysiders venturing outdoors today could find the whole breathing thing a little less fun than usual — as you may have noticed, it's getting smoky out there. As the result of bushfires burning across both New South Wales and Queensland, a layer of smoke has made its way across the city and is expected to stick around for at least the next 24 hours.

Needless to say, it's affecting air quality, with the NSW Government Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's air quality monitor giving a "poor" air quality forecast for Tuesday, November 12. The inner city, Randwick, Earlwood, Rozelle, Parramatta and Rouse Hill are among the regions affected — so, a big chunk of the city. Southwest Sydney — including Campbelltown, Liverpool and Camden — is also affected. This is largely do to particles in the air.

Also in NSW, Newcastle and the Lower Hunter is listed as "hazardous", while Wollongong and the Illawarra — where lots of schools have today closed — is currently marked as "poor".

With air quality levels dropping yesterday, NSW Health has issued a smoke health alert for Sydney and the Hunter.  The government body suggests that everyone cut back on strenuous outdoor activities, as well as going outside in general — if you can. Those with chronic respiratory or heart conditions are especially advised to avoid all outdoor physical activity and stay indoors where possible. It's also recommended that you carry your inhaler, follow your Asthma Action Plan, and keep your other medication with you for all breathing-related conditions. If you start experiencing symptoms, even if you're otherwise fit and healthy, seek medical advice.

For those staying indoors, NSW Health also suggests turning your air conditioner on — if you have one — and using it on recirculate mode to keep the particles from outside out. With Sydney firmly in the grip of warm end-of-year weather, and temperatures expected to reach 37 otoday, residents are also advised to be wary of the heat, as well as its combination with the hazy air. Drinking plenty of fluids, taking cool showers to keep your temperature down, soaking your feet in water and draping a wet cloth around your neck are also recommended.

With a catastrophic fire danger level declared across the Sydney, the Hunter and the Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas for today — and with the NSW Rural Fire Service continuing to battle numerous blazes across the state — this situation isn't likely to change quickly, even with a cool change set to come in this evening.

It should go without saying, but as part of the State of Fire Emergency, the lighting of all types of outdoor fires is banned. At 9am, the service confirmed there are 57 current bushfires burning in NSW, and 28 of them are uncontained.

You can keep an eye on the fires burning across the state at the NSW Rural Fire Service website. For more tips on staying safe during smoky conditions, head to the NSW Health website.

Image: NSW Rural Fire Service.