‘Very poor’: Sydney air quality dives due to bushfire smoke
30 October 2019
Published by https://www.smh.com.au/
AUSTRALIA – Dense smoke from bushfires on the NSW Mid North Coast is causing “very poor” air quality in Sydney, with the city forecast to be blanketed in a smoky haze for at least another day.
Northerly and north-easterly winds on Wesdnesday are blowing the smoke from a large blaze near Port Macquarie south over Sydney, causing a “very poor” air quality rating from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
9News has been given an exclusive tour of Port Macquarie’s fireground from inside an RFS chopper.
The CBD and eastern suburbs as well as southern and south-western Sydney have “very poor” air quality, while the north-west is rated as “poor”.
Residents in the Central Coast and Hunter region including Newcastle are facing “hazardous” air quality, the worst rating on the pollution spectrum.
Smoke haze is forecast for Sydney again on Thursday, as winds continue to push the smoke southwards into the city. Air quality is predicted to be “poor”.
When air quality is “very poor”, NSW Health pollution alert warns people to “cut back or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities”, while people from sensitive groups such as those with asthma are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities completely.
NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Greg Allan said the smoke had travelled as far south as Wollongong and Nowra.
“It’s still an active fire and won’t be out for some time,” Mr Allan said.
“The winds are pushing it down along the coast, which will keep happening as long as the fire is burning.”
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a top of 27 degrees for Sydney on Thursday, with 34 in Penrith.
Light northerly winds will do little to help the air quality, with the city smothered by the smoke.
A southerly change is not expected to hit until Monday.
The Crestwood Drive fire at Lake Cathie near Port Macquarie has burnt more than 2500 hectares, with fire crews battling the blaze from the ground and the air.
The fire came close to homes on Tuesday with an emergency warning issued.
“Large air tankers have been used to drop retardant close to homes in an effort to slow the fire,” the RFS website says.
There were 72 fires burning across NSW as of Wednesday evening, with 38 yet to be contained.
with AAP
