Sydney residents wake to smoke haze over city

Sydney residents woke to a smoky haze over much of the CBD as a result of hazard reduction burns in the city’s south.

Firefighters have begun controlled burning of bush fire hazards, with a 98-hectare area in Heathcote National Park cleared by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services personnel yesterday.

Burns are also taking place at Loftus in Sutherland, where a 22-hectare area is being cleared by the Rural Fire Service (RFS).

The RFS advises that controlled burns are planned well in advance to minimise the smoke impact on the community.

“Before starting a hazard reduction burn, fire agencies and land managers consider weather forecasts and conditions, any impact on the community, and the need to complete this important work to help reduce the risk of destructive fires,” the RFS advises on its website.

“While we use the best information and forecasts available, sometimes it’s difficult to predict where smoke will spread and what kind of impact it will have on the community.”

The smoke is expected to dissipate as temperatures rise during the day.