Smoke warning issued for some Townsville suburbs

Residents in some suburbs will be impacted by smoke as rural fireys conduct a hazard reduction burn close to a local child care centre.

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PARTS of Townsville were impacted by smoke on Saturday while the Rural Fire Service got cracking on a hazard reduction burn in advance of the next bushfire season.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency service issued the warning about the fire at 10.12am – which presently sits at the “advice” level.

Smoke was expected to impact several suburbs including James Cook University, Douglas, Annandale, Riverside Gardens and surrounding areas.

A witness estimated that the burn was only 20m away from the Unicampus Kids Child Care Centre.

The fire was being closely watched by multiple firefighters.

The smoke was expected to cause reduced air quality which may cause health impacts for some people.

It could also reduce visibility and affect driving conditions.

People in the affected area should avoid driving through smoke where possible and be aware of firefighters working in the area.

Stay indoors, and close windows and doors.

Keep respiratory medication close by.

You can monitor live air quality information by clicking the smoke information link.

Originally published as Smoke warning issued for some Townsville suburbs