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Sydney smoke: Australia fires send haze over Sydney and Adelaide Sydney smoke: Australia fires send haze over Sydney and Adelaide
(about 5 hours later)
Smoke from Australia's bushfire crisis has blanketed the major cities of Sydney and Adelaide.Smoke from Australia's bushfire crisis has blanketed the major cities of Sydney and Adelaide.
In Sydney, locals woke on Thursday to smoke which appeared worse than a fire-driven haze that was seen on Tuesday. In Sydney, locals woke on Thursday to smoke that appeared worse than a fire-driven haze that was seen on Tuesday.
Health officials issued warnings as air quality surpassed "hazardous" levels and some residents donned face masks. Health officials issued warnings as air quality surpassed "hazardous" levels and some residents wore face masks.
Fire conditions classified as "severe" or higher have affected all six states in the past week. Several states have faced "catastrophic" levels of danger.Fire conditions classified as "severe" or higher have affected all six states in the past week. Several states have faced "catastrophic" levels of danger.
Since last month, six people have died in massive bushfires which have caused the greatest damage in the eastern states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland.Since last month, six people have died in massive bushfires which have caused the greatest damage in the eastern states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland.
On Thursday, smoke from one of those blazes shrouded Sydney for the second time in three days, obscuring buildings and turning skies grey and orange. But South Australia and Victoria have seen the most danger this week, as fires triggered emergency warnings.
Air pollution levels were worst in the city's centre and northern suburbs, with one reading nearly 10 times higher than the national standard. On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison again defended his government's climate change policies against criticism from former fire chiefs and others.
"The smoke is expected to continue for several days," warned the NSW Rural Fire Service. "To suggest that with just 1.3% of global emissions that Australia doing something differently - more or less - would have changed the fire outcome this season, I don't think that stands up to any credible scientific evidence at all," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Some people described the air quality as the worst they had experienced. What's the smoke situation?
Health officials reiterated calls for people to stay indoors and reduce physical activity, especially anyone with health conditions. About five million people live in Sydney, the state capital of NSW. Smoke shrouded Sydney for the second time in three days, obscuring buildings and turning skies grey. About five million people live in Australia's largest city, the state capital of NSW.
NSW Ambulance said it had received more than 60 calls for help for smoke-related health problems on Tuesday. Air pollution levels were worst in the city's centre and northern suburbs - with readings up to 10 times higher than the national standard.
Residents in Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, also woke to heavy smoke blown from a major blaze west of the city. As officials warned the smoke could linger for days, some locals described air quality as the worst they had experienced.
It was expected to clear later on Thursday but people there were also being urged to stay indoors, reported the Adelaide Advertiser. Health officials reiterated calls for people to stay indoors and to reduce physical activity, especially those with health conditions.
Residents in Adelaide, the South Australian capital, also woke to health warnings triggered by heavy smoke from a nearby blaze. About 1.3 million people live in the city.
Despite conditions improving, air quality was still rated "very poor" in most areas by 15:30 local time (05:00 GMT).
In the past 24 hours, blazes in South Australia had razed or damaged 11 houses and injured dozens of people, officials said.
'Like a dusty filter on Sydney''Like a dusty filter on Sydney'
Shaimaa Khalil, BBC News Australia correspondentShaimaa Khalil, BBC News Australia correspondent
I woke up this morning with a sting in my throat and a cough, and immediately regretted leaving the windows open. The smell got me before I clocked the haze outside. It's like someone used a yellowish dusty filter on Sydney. I woke up this morning with a sting in my throat and a cough, and immediately regretted leaving the windows open.
The smell got me before I clocked the haze outside. It's like someone used a yellowish dusty filter on Sydney.
Many are likening the air quality to Delhi and Beijing. The smoke is coming from the north and is unlikely to clear today, according to forecasters.Many are likening the air quality to Delhi and Beijing. The smoke is coming from the north and is unlikely to clear today, according to forecasters.
On social media some are arguing that there isn't enough information about air quality and what people should do. And then of course there is the inevitable climate change debate and whether people in Australia should get used to a new normal. On social media some are arguing that there isn't enough information about air quality and what people should do.
And then of course there is the inevitable climate change debate and whether people in Australia should get used to a new normal.
Where is the fire danger now?Where is the fire danger now?
Scores of fires are raging across Australia, but the threat on Thursday is worst in Victoria and South Australia - where temperatures and winds have recently increased. Scores of fires are raging across Australia, but the threat on Thursday was worst in Victoria and NSW - where temperatures and winds have recently increased.
Residents in South Australia have received emergency warnings after the state sweltered through 45C (113F) heat on Wednesday.
Officials in Victoria have issued a "code red" - its equivalent of a catastrophic warning - for the first time in a decade. The state endured the nation's worst fire disaster in 2009, when 173 people died on what became known as Black Saturday.Officials in Victoria have issued a "code red" - its equivalent of a catastrophic warning - for the first time in a decade. The state endured the nation's worst fire disaster in 2009, when 173 people died on what became known as Black Saturday.
Authorities warned residents in the state's north on Wednesday to evacuate immediately. Country Fire Authority chief officer Steve Warrington warned residents to leave certain areas, saying: "Do not be there. If a fire occurs, you will not survive."
"Do not be there. If a fire occurs, you will not survive," said Steve Warrington, a local fire chief quoted by The Age newspaper. Victoria's capital, Melbourne, was not under a code red warning - but the city reached 40.9C on (106F) on Thursday, its equal hottest November day on record.
More than 50 fires are raging across NSW - where over 1.2 million hectares has been burnt since September. Authorities warn that forecast heat could intensify blazes later this week. More than 50 fires were raging across NSW - where over 1.2 million hectares has burnt since September. The forecast eased in South Australia and Queensland, but fires continued to burn in both states.
The forecast has eased in Queensland, where fires continue to burn. Tasmania had a "severe" threat level on Thursday - its most dangerous for the season - while Western Australia has also faced emergencies in recent days.
Tasmania also faces a "severe" threat level on Thursday - its most dangerous for the season. Western Australia has also faced emergencies in recent days. What about climate change?
Scientists and experts say that Australia's fire season has grown longer and more intense due to climate change.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, climate change had led to an increase in extreme heat events and raised the severity of other natural disasters, such as drought.
Last year, a UN report said Australia was falling short of its Paris climate agreement commitments to cut CO2 emissions.