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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Andrew Brown

Hazardous smoke haze chokes Canberra

More smoke haze blanketed Canberra overnight, causing hazardous air quality levels across the capital on Friday morning.

Bushfire smoke engulfs Canberra on Thursday night. Picture: Jamila Toderas

The haze is set to engulf the ACT throughout most of Friday with a fresh wave of smoke expected later in the evening.

At 10am on Friday, the air quality stations at Florey and Civic had a health advisory of "hazardous high" while Monash was rated "unhealthy all".

The levels of smoke haze are more concentrated to the north of the city.

ACT Health advises everyone to avoid all physical activity outdoors while the air quality is rated "hazardous high".

Sensitive groups, including those with asthma, heart and lung conditions, to temporarily relocate or remain indoors and keep activity levels as low as possible.

Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast the smoke haze to linger in Canberra until at least Sunday. There is also the possibility of smoke haze being seen on Monday.

The thick haze, which shrouded many of Canberra's landmarks on Thursday night, was caused by strong easterly winds fanning smoke from bushfires burning near Braidwood.

The winds also brought with it smoke from two fires burning near the South Coast, including the Currowan fire and the Tianjara fire, which started on Thursday during extreme heatwave conditions.

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Meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Rosemary Barr, said Canberra's regular easterly winds meant the bushfire smoke would be a common sight in coming days.

"There's now more active fires to the east, and any easterly winds will bring through smoke at the moment," she said.

Thursday night's saw multiple calls made to triple zero across the ACT.

However, the ACT Emergency Services Agency said there were no major bushfires burning in the ACT.

"Our triple zero phones are ringing hot. Please remember triple zero is for emergencies only," an agency spokesman said.

Pictures: Jamila Toderas

Smoke haze is expected to exacerbate conditions on Friday, which will see temperatures reach into the 40s.

A high of 41 has been predicted, which, if reached, will set a new December temperature record for the ACT.

The December record was broken on Thursday, reaching well above 39 degrees.

The mercury is predicted to reach even higher on Saturday, getting to 42 degrees.

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