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HomeAUSydney Engulfed in Dense Smoke Blanket: Air Quality Concerns Rise as Residents...

Sydney Engulfed in Dense Smoke Blanket: Air Quality Concerns Rise as Residents Wake to Hazy Morning

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Sydneysiders woke this morning to a thick blanket of haze after bushfires on the NSW Mid North Coast blew smoke across the city.
Overnight bushfires still burning near Port Stephens and Nerong caused smoke to drift south down the coast across the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, the Central Coast and into Sydney.

The haze has descended over the city’s skyline, significantly affecting the air quality in New South Wales’ capital.

Smoke blanketing Sydney skyline
Sydneysiders woke to a hazy skyline today after overnight bushfires blew smoke down the coast. (Today)

Currently, the air quality in various parts of NSW, such as Sydney’s eastern suburbs, the Lower Hunter region, and the Southern Tablelands, is deemed subpar.

In contrast, Tiboburra, located in the state’s far northwest, is experiencing air quality classified as extremely poor.

Fortunately, Sydney is anticipated to see a gradual dispersal of the smoke as the morning progresses.

“Residents may notice and detect smoke this morning,” the NSW Rural Fire Service noted.

“Conditions are expected to improve, with smoke gradually lifting and clearing through the morning, assisted by a southerly change through the day.

“Please only call Triple Zero (000) if you see an unattended fire.”

: Pacific Hwy Fire, Nerong (Mid-Coast LGA) - Saturday 31 January 2026. See less
The Pacific Highway fire in Nerong. (NSW Rural Fire Service)
The fire in Port Stephens is burning between Medowie and Oyster Cove, about 25 kilometres northeast of Newcastle.

Firefighters remain on the ground to contain the blaze, which has reached 408 hectares.

Another fire is not yet under control south of Nerong in the Myall Lakes National Park area.

The Nerong fire is around 4112 hectares in size.

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