Haze From New South Wales Fires Settles Over Bondi Beach

High winds coupled with emergency-level bushfires in the north of New South Wales have caused smoke to settle in the state’s capital, Sydney.

Photographer Koichi Ogihara posted a jarring Instagram video of the city’s Bondi Beach, generally known for its gorgeous blue sky, under a dark brown and gray haze.

The Bondi Beach resident described the conditions on the ground to Storyful as “dusty” with a “car-exhaust-like smell.”

Ogihara told Storyful that he was sneezing a lot and had a runny nose.

Members of the public were encouraged to stay indoors as the Bureau of Meteorology New South Wales warned of “poor air quality,” with the organization’s latest air quality index recorded as “hazardous” in east, southwest, and northwest Sydney.

Bushfires have continued across the state of New South Wales in areas such as Port Macquarie within the last two weeks. Hot and dry conditions combined with winds have caused an increase in fire activity across the east coast of the state since Friday, November 8.

Three people have died and a number were reported missing while many properties were damaged as a result of the fires, according to local authorities. Credit: Koichi Ogihara via Storyful