Sydney wakes to smoke and fog

ASSA | 2021-05-03 11:00:24

Much of southern NSW has woken up to a blanket of smoke and fog this morning following hazard reduction burns over the weekend.

Heavy fog had a big impact across Sydney, with commuters urged to take care on the morning run.

Sydney Harbour Bridge was gradually obscured as smoke and fog moved in between 7am and 7.30am.

Multiple ferries in the city are now running again after being cancelled.

The NSW RFS also warned smoke is settling on the Central Coast, and in the Blue Mountains, Snowy Valleys, Southern Highlands and the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard warned people with asthma to be "very cautious."

"It can certainly affect your lungs as it is me at the moment," he told Today.

"Stay inside if you can and make sure you use your preventers."

Air quality in parts of Sydney is at very poor levels, according to Air Quality Concentration Data, with Chullora, Earlwood, Lidcombe and Liverpool the worst affected.

Light winds have made the smoke settle in residential areas, the RFS is warning, but they said it will lift as the day goes on.

"Strategies have been put in place to reduce the impact of smoke on the community, including the postponement of a number of planned burns and a reduction in area burnt for others," the RFS said in a statement.

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