Smoke haze from controlled burns covers Melbourne
THE NUMBER of planned burns scheduled across the state today have been revised after a heavy smog blanketed Melbourne. Here’s when the smoke will clear and how to protect your health.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE NUMBER of planned burns scheduled across the state today have been revised after a heavy smog blanketed Melbourne.
The thick smoke, from a number of planned fires, created ‘very unhealthy’ air quality in Mooroolbark in the city’s east early this morning.
MORE NEWS: DECISION IMMINENT IN PELL HISTORIC SEX ASSAULT CASE
SUBURBS HIT HARDEST IN BIN FEE HIKES
CITYLINK SOUND TUBE DISRUPTS DRIVERLESS CARS
Forest Fire Management Victoria ignited 10 fires as part of burn offs in the state’s north and northwest — fewer fires than what had been previously planned.
FFMVic Chief Fire Officer Darrin McKenzie said: “We are modifying our program to reduce smoke impacts on community over the next few days.”
“Advice from the Bureau indicates wind speeds should increase tomorrow (Wednesday) which will see smoke lift in parts of the state — especially around Melbourne.”
CFA has six planned burns scheduled to be lit at Gurdies, Koonwarra, Yellingbo, West Ballarat, Wickliffe, Traralgon West.
A combination of planned burns by FFMVic, CFA and farmers, the time of the year, cooler conditions and increased use of wood heaters led to the hazy conditions.
People with respiratory conditions were warned to stay indoors.
The Bureau of Meteorology said stronger northerly winds would help clear smoke from Melbourne skies later this afternoon.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
The CFA and Forest Fires Management Victoria are conducting burns to reduce bushfire risk before next summer.
Planned burns on public and private land are occurring in the city’s east.
Most of the burns took place in April.
FFMVic Chief Fire Officer Darrin McKenzie said: “Autumn is a critical time for our planned burning program and so far our program has been fairly limited because of the long and hot summer we have experienced, with limited rainfall.”
“In the last week, conditions have finally opened up for us and we have to take advantage of the suitable weather conditions.”
“We understand that the smoke is an inconvenience for people — and we are sorry for this — but if we do not complete this work now we won’t reduce bushfire risk before summer.”
“We are working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather conditions, such as humidity, temperature and wind speed, and will only carry out burns when the conditions are suitable.”
“We are modifying our program to reduce smoke impacts on community over the next few days. Advice from the Bureau indicates wind speeds should increase tomorrow which will see smoke lift in parts of the state — especially around Melbourne.”
WHERE ARE THE PLANNED BURNS?
Planned burns are being conducted by three authorities across Victoria — Forest Fire Management Victoria, Country Fire Authority and private agricultural burns.
— FFMVic is conducting public burns in forests and national parks.
— CFA is burning in areas that link public and private land, like roadsides.
— Farmers on private land, who have a permit for agricultural burn offs.
Over the last 12 days about 3000 agricultural burn off permits have been issued statewide.
More than 300 burns have been conducted by FFMVic, comprising 30,000 hectares.
FFMVic have ignited 10 new planned burns, as of 2.30pm today, in East Bendigo, Bemm River, Powelltown, Melwood, Anglesea, Little Desert, Big Desert, Heathcote, Beechworth and Cohuna.
CFA has six planned burns scheduled to be ignited at Gurdies, Koonwarra, Yellingbo, West Ballarat, Wickliffe, Traralgon West
FIRES BURNING ACROSS VICTORIA ON TUESDAY
PLANNED BURNS ACROSS VICTORIA IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS
PLANNED BURNS ACROSS VICTORIA FOR NEXT 10 DAYS
View live updates of planned burns across Victoria HERE.
AIR QUALITY ACROSS MELBOURNE
FIVE suburbs in Melbourne have ‘very poor’ air quality this morning, according to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria.
Mooroolbark in the city’s east had high concentration of pollution, making it very unhealthy for most people about 6am this morning. People with pre-existing health conditions were at a higher risk.
Dandenong, Mooroolbark, Brighton and Alphington have reported ‘very poor’ air quality, between 9am and 10am.
Brooklyn’s air quality, in the city’s west, has also recorded a ‘very poor’ rating.
Melbourne’s CBD is considered ‘poor’ while Macleod in the city’s north and Altona and Footscray in the west were ‘fair’.
The EPA said when a pollutant reaches high levels, the air quality will show as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.
Moe is the only area in the state that has air quality considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Live conditions of air quality in Victoria can be found HERE.
IS THE SMOKE BAD FOR MY HEALTH?
EPA’s Chief Environmental Scientist Dr Andrea Hinwood said pollutants released from bush and wood fires were the same as those emitted from car exhausts and industries.
“Air pollution or smoke, is a complex mixture of gases and particles,” Dr Hinwood said.
“When we deal with bushfire smoke and wood smoke, the main pollutant is a particle called PM2.5 — which is a small size, meaning it can be inhaled deeply into the lungs.”
Dr Hinwood said a combination of factors contributed to the smoggy conditions, including the number of burn offs, the time of year, a weak northerly wind and an increase in the number of people using wood heaters to keep warm.
“Anyone who has pre-existing health issues, respiratory problems or cardiovascular problems should take extra care,” she said.
As for the rest of us, Dr Hinwood advised against going for a run and pay to attention to how the conditions were affecting our breathing.
If you experience wheezing or difficulty breathing contact triple-0.
WHAT IF I’M ASTHMATIC?
The CFA warned smoke could aggravate existing heart and lung conditions and cause irritated eyes, coughing and wheezing.
Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should phone triple-0 (000) immediately.
Other concerns should be directed to your GP or Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
Fires in NSW last month caused similar issues for Sydney residents, with a smoky hazy sitting across the city each morning.
This Sydney news video explains why smoke is at its worst in the mornings and evenings.
WHEN WILL THE SMOKE PASS?
Stronger northerly winds will help clear smoke from Melbourne skies this afternoon.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said air quality will improve when stronger northerly winds from central Victoria arrive in the city this afternoon and early evening.
“We have a northerly wind at the moment but it’s not a sufficient strength yet,” he said.
“Certainly as the northerly persists, it will bring clearer air from northern Victoria and southern New South Wales.”
“It will still be a little hazy for the rest of the day, but it will be improving.”
Overnight Melbourne will see a north easterly breeze, with conditions improving overnight.
The smog is expected to clear late tomorrow morning and early afternoon.
MORE HERALD SUN:
PELL TO FACE TRIAL, BUT MOST SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS DISCHARGED
FOOTY MEDIA WATCH: HIGHS AND LOWS OF COMMENTARY
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.