View From Sydney Harbour Bridge Shows City Shrouded in Smoke

Thick bushfire smoke created hazardous air quality in communities along coastal New South Wales on Tuesday, December 10, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

In Sydney, the air quality index was above 1,000 in the morning – five times the “hazardous” threshold of 200. In some areas, the ABC said, the pollution level was 12 times the “hazardous” threshold.

The Maritime Union Australia said the Port of Newcastle was closed due to low visibility, while ferries were cancelled in Sydney Harbour.

Bushfires have so far burned nearly 2.7 million hectares in the state during the fire season.

In this footage, taken from Sydney Harbour Bridge, the CBD skyline is barely visible through the smoke. Credit: Kent Marama via Storyful