Dust, ash from Australian bushfires adding to Fiordland avalanche risk
23 November 2019
Published by https://www.stuff.co.nz/
NEW ZEALAND – This picture from NZTA showed a layer of dust and ash from bushfires in Australia on snow in Fiordland.
Dust and ash from the Australian bushfires is landing in New Zealand and worsening the avalanche risk in Fiordland.
On Wednesday, NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) said dust and ash from the bushfires was “exacerbating the avalanche risk by providing a layer upon which fresh snow can slide”.
A section of State Highway 94 southeast of Milford Sound was closed on Wednesday, although a convoy was able to leave Milford Sound in the evening, a NZTA spokesperson said.
In an update at 8.30am on Thursday, NZTA said the route had reopened. “Road disruptions are possible for Friday evening overnight into Saturday morning with rain/snow and residual avalanche risk,” it said.
