Melbourne shrouded in smoke from NSW bushfires

Smoke from the NSW fires has covered Melbourne’s CBD as the mercury rises.

Extreme temperatures have hit Melbourne, now covered with a dense smoke haze. Picture: Jason Edwards

Smoke from the NSW fires has shrouded Melbourne’s CBD as Victoria’s capital braces for record breaking temperatures.

A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said the smoke had travelled overnight from blazes currently burning in eastern NSW with Melbourne to remain hazy throughout the day as the city heated.

The view from Eureka Skydeck. Picture: Cameron Tandy

“It’s come a very long way to get here and it’s come down through the ranges and come down to us at the moment,” he said.

“As it warms it’s probably going to remain pretty hazy throughout.”

Smoke is extending over #Victoria this morning from the #nswfires and the Gippsland fires, reducing visibility to around 1km in places. The smoke will gradually disperse over the next few hours, although generally hazy conditions are expected right across Victoria today. pic.twitter.com/T8AdM2RoHv

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 20, 2019

Four fires are currently burning in Victoria’s Gippsland region as the state sweats through a heatwave with extreme heat forecasted.

It’s currently 36.9 degrees in Melbourne with the thermometer expected to hit 44 between 4-5pm on Friday.

A statewide total fire ban is in place.

A couple walk through the Melbourne CBD, which has been blanketed by smoke. Picture: David Caird