Major health warning is issued after Sydney is blanketed in a smoky haze for the second day running - and it could last until the weekend

  • Sydney residents have been warned of poor air quality due to planned burns 
  • City skyline was blanketed by smoke on Tuesday and again on Wednesday 
  • NSW Health warned the smoke will impact city over the next couple of days

By Zoe Zaczek For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A major health warning has been issued after a thick haze of smoke blanketed Sydney for the second day running.  

The city skyline and key landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge were blanketed by the smoke again on Wednesday as a result of planned hazard reductions burns.

The controlled burns, which help prevent the threat of bushfires, were conducted in the Blue Mountains and surrounding areas on Sunday. 

NSW Health warned the smoke is expected to impact the city on Wednesday, and it could continue for a few days yet. 

A major health warning has been issued after a thick haze of smoke blanketed Sydney for the second day running

A major health warning has been issued after a thick haze of smoke blanketed Sydney for the second day running

The city skyline and key landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge were blanketed by the smoke on Tuesday and Wednesday, as a result of planned hazard reductions burns

The city skyline and key landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge were blanketed by the smoke on Tuesday and Wednesday, as a result of planned hazard reductions burns

Dr Richard Broome, NSW Health Director of Environmental Health, said residents with existing lung and heart conditions should be wary.  

'People with conditions like asthma, emphysema and angina are more likely to be sensitive to the effects of smoke,' said Dr Broome.

'Smoke from hazard reduction burns can be quite unpredictable, but we're expecting poor air quality in a number of places across the Sydney basin into Wednesday morning.'

Dr Broome said most residents would be irritated but released more dire advice for those with preexisting conditions.

'For most people, smoke will be no more than an irritation,' Dr Broome said.

'However, I recommend that people with existing heart and lung conditions should avoid outdoor physical activity when there's smoke around.

Smoke blankets the Sydney CBD and Sydney basin on Wednesday after bush fire reduction burns

Smoke blankets the Sydney CBD and Sydney basin on Wednesday after bush fire reduction burns

The controlled burns, which help prevent the threat of bushfires, were conducted in the Blue Mountains and surrounding areas on Sunday

The controlled burns, which help prevent the threat of bushfires, were conducted in the Blue Mountains and surrounding areas on Sunday

NSW Health warned the smoke is expected to impact the city throughout Tuesday and on Wednesday morning

NSW Health warned the smoke is expected to impact the city throughout Tuesday and on Wednesday morning

'It's also important for people with asthma to follow their Asthma Action Plan and have their relieving medication with them.' 

The NSW Rural Fire service said light winds and stable conditions would see smoke from the burns 'settle in some areas over the next few days'.

'These are important controlled burns which will reduce the risk to people and properties from bush fires,' they said in a statement on Tuesday.

'A number of burns have been postponed this week and the NSW RFS, along with partner agencies, are continuing to re-evaluate and reschedule burns if required.' 

The NSW Rural Fire service said light winds and stable conditions would see smoke from the burns 'settle in some areas over the next few days'

The NSW Rural Fire service said light winds and stable conditions would see smoke from the burns 'settle in some areas over the next few days'

'A number of burns have been postponed this week and the NSW RFS, along with partner agencies, are continuing to re-evaluate and reschedule burns if required,' The NSW Rural Fire service said on Tuesday

'A number of burns have been postponed this week and the NSW RFS, along with partner agencies, are continuing to re-evaluate and reschedule burns if required,' The NSW Rural Fire service said on Tuesday

Most watched News videos

Comments 24

Share what you think

  View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

  View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.