Sydney smoke: air quality among worst in world due to hazard-reduction burns

Rural Fire Service says smoke is expected to clear by the weekend when runners compete in the Sydney Marathon

A haze of smoke has settled across Sydney for another day, accumulating after a week of hazard-reduction burns ahead of the weekend, when temperatures are forecast to hit 30C.

Much of Sydney was blanketed in smoke early on Thursday morning with poor or very poor air quality in suburbs including Alexandria, Earlwood, Lidcombe, Randwick, Rozelle, Prospect, Rouse Hill, Bringelly and Oakdale.

The city was ranked third-worst in the world for air quality at the time by IQAir, a live map monitoring global air pollution.

Smoke was expected to remain over parts of Sydney and the Central Coast until late in the week, the Rural Fire Service said on Tuesday.

The smoke from hazard-reduction burn sites generally improves mid-morning, according to the NSW Planning and Environment website.

But Thursday night’s NRL Women’s Premiership match between Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights has been moved to Leichardt Oval from Campbelltown Stadium over concerns the air quality was “unsuitable due to burning in the region”.

And some Sydney Marathon runners competing this weekend have health concerns, with NSW anticipating temperatures 10-14C above average.

The Sydney Marathon race director, Wayne Larden, said organisers were working with the RFS ahead of Sunday’s race to minimise the impact of smoke.

“Sydney Marathon has taken several precautionary steps, including increasing the availability of hydration capacity and medical assistance points along the course,” Larden said.

“This is in addition to the existing rigorous safety protocols and medical support available on the course.”

The RFS has postponed burns for 48 hours to help accumulated smoke settle through the weekend.

“There will be no new burns today, no new burns tomorrow,” the service’s Ben Shepherd said. “We will re-e

The RFS said it would continue hazard-reduction burns in the months leading up to bushfire season and smoke would continue to be trapped in the Sydney basin.

“Smoke goes in there overnight and the inversion layer comes in and just traps that in the morning until a bit of a breeze picks up,” the RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, said on Monday.

“For some people, it is just an inconvenience, but to others, it does have health impacts on them.”

Asthma sufferers have been warned to take precautions.

The chief executive of Asthma Australia, Michele Goldman, said the smoke sitting over Sydney made for a “stressful and risky time” for people with asthma.

“Poor air quality is bad for our health, especially people with asthma. It’s been a few days now so people will be experiencing breathing difficulties and other impacts like irritated sinuses. They are staying indoors and working from home where possible.”

Chrissy, a 28 year old from Sydney, said she had to buy an air purifier to get through the smoky days.

“[The smoke] definitely worsened my asthma. I found myself being a little tighter in the chest, coughing, and having to take my puffers more often,” she said.

“And the past couple days of increased smoke has been a little frustrating and stressful, I’ve had to stay indoors where possible, and I’ve bought a air purifier to be able to cope.

Chrissy, who asked that her full name not be used, said she was anxious about the upcoming bushfire season.

“I am just planning ahead, making sure that I have a good supply of puffers and access to a space with air conditioning.”

Photograph: Steve Christo/AFP/Getty Images - The Sydney Harbour Bridge shrouded in smoke. Hazard-reduction burns have impacted the city all week.