Sydney blanketed by smoke from massive bushfires
Heavy smoke has covered Australia's largest city, Sydney, as scores of bushfires rage across the region.
Strong winds brought smoke overnight from an inland blaze north of the city, pushing Sydney's air quality to beyond "hazardous" levels, officials said.
On social media, locals described waking up to hazy skies and the stench of smoke in their homes.
About five million people live in the state capital of New South Wales, which has been affected for weeks by fires.
Six people have died in bushfires in the state's north since October.
Sydney residents were warned about severe fire danger on Tuesday, as temperatures looked to soar to 37C (98.6F) in the city's west.
Parts of the city recorded air quality levels at eight times higher than the national benchmark.
Health officials advised people to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity. New South Wales Ambulance service said those with respiratory issues should "take extra care".
"The smoke is likely to hang around for the next few days," warned the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
Last week, Sydney faced unprecedented bushfire danger when blazes hit its suburbs and parts of its outskirts.
Authorities said the source of the smoke on Tuesday came from a blaze in Wollemi National Park, 150km (93 miles) north-west of the city, which had grown to 150,000 hectares in size.
What's happening with the fires now?
Close to 50 bushfires continue to burn in populated coastal and inland regions to the city's north. Many of those areas have experienced thick smoke and poor air quality for weeks.
Officials have warned that blazes could escalate this week when heatwave conditions reach the state and neighbouring Queensland, where scores of fires are burning.
Meanwhile, a "catastrophic" fire danger warning has been issued for parts of South Australia. The state capital, Adelaide, is forecast to reach 42C on Wednesday.
