Sydney’s skyline disappears: City is choked by a thick layer of bushfire smoke

Sydney’s skyline has been covered by a thick layer of ‘hazardous’ smoke as bushfires continue to burn south-west of the city.  

Buildings and bridges were blanketed by a brown sky, as smoke moved across the Harbour City on Monday afternoon.

‘A brown sky and a smokey afternoon in Sydney with the smoke from fires south-west of Sydney set to linger overnight into Tuesday,’ The Bureau of Meterology said.

Sydney’s skyline has been covered by a thick layer of ‘hazardous’ smoke as bushfires continue to burn south-west of the city

‘This is concerning. Stay safe Sydney,’ one person wrote about the conditions with a picture of the Sydney Harbour Bridge  

A traveller captures thick smoke covering Sydney CBD and harbour

As of 5pm there were 125 fires burning across New South Wales, 54 of which were not contained.

‘There are more than 2,100 personnel in the field. Strong winds are continuing in many parts of the state,’ NSW RFS said.

‘Smoke is lingering in many areas and is likely to continue into Tuesday.’ 

Air quality in south-west Sydney has been declared hazardous, with those suffering heart or lung problems recommended to stay indoors. 

NSW RFS said the heavy smoke was blown from large bushfires around the Blue Mountains and near Warragamba Dam.

‘If you’re easily affected by smoke, take precautions to protect your health,’ they said. 

Sydney Airport was functioning with one runway on Monday evening. It is unclear how many flights have been cancelled.

On Tuesday, the air quality will be ‘poor due to particles’ and could cause symptoms for sensitive people suffering from heart or lung disease.  

There is an out-of-control bushfire ravaging Currowan, about four hours south of Sydney.

Sydney’s skyline has been covered by a thick layer of a smoke as bushfires continue to burn south-west of the city

Sydneysiders displayed oxygen masks as air quality turned hazardous once again

Pictured: Smoke moving across Sydney on Monday afternoon 

‘Fire activity increased over the evening due to strong westerly winds,’ the RFS said in an emergency warning on Monday.

‘Firefighters are working in the area to protect properties where possible.

‘Seek shelter as the fire impacts. It is too late to leave.’

Two million hectares of NSW land have been burnt since July in more than 7000 fires which have raged in the ‘most challenging bushfire season ever’.

Six people have died while 673 homes have been destroyed to date.

A total fire ban has been issued for Monday across the far north coast, Greater Hunter and New England regions due to forecast hot and windy conditions. 

Air quality in southwest Sydney has been declared hazardous, with those suffering heart or lung problems recommended to stay indoors

‘A brown sky and a smokey afternoon in Sydney with the smoke from fires south-west of Sydney set to linger overnight into Tuesday,’ The Bureau of Meterology said

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is shrouded in haze on Thursday November 21