As over 80 fires continue to blaze across the state, perhaps the worst blanket of smoke in the past few weeks has descended upon Sydney.
The haze is even drifting indoors (as we can attest in our office alone) and has gotten so bad that indoor smoke alarms are being triggered.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/12/best-apps-fire-smoke-air-quality-australia-nsw-near-me/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sydney-smoke-410×231.jpg” title=”The Best Apps For Tracking Fires And Smoke Pollution Near You” excerpt=”The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment recently told Gizmodo that the poor air quality being experienced across the state is the longest and most widespread in history. As fires continues to rage and the thick blanket of smoke remains, experts have predicted that this could last throughout the summer. It can’t be ignored, so we have pulled together some of the best apps so you can keep a digital eye on the fires, smoke and the air quality near you.”]
There are multiple reports on social media that offices across the city are being evacuated due to smoke alarms being triggered by smoke filtering indoors. This has included the University of Sydney.
Bush fire smoke triggered the fire alarm in our building #bushfiresNSW #usyd pic.twitter.com/zWN80Cwv8h
— Vickel Narayan (@vnarayan) December 10, 2019
#sydneysmoke has set off our office fire alarms pic.twitter.com/zog0FK71i1
— sjkeyworth (@sjkeyworth) December 10, 2019
Smoke is so thick on the Central Coast it’s setting off fire alarms. Our ABC office was evacuated while on air, broadcasting live! Fire crews said it was their third false alarm in 20 mind#s. The crews say it’s people arriving at work, opening doors & letting smoke in. pic.twitter.com/aMg4raReT5
— Lucy Thackray (@LucyThack) December 9, 2019
We’ve been evacuated. Smoke alarm. To this #sydneysmoke pic.twitter.com/JzPARG6Lwj
— Chessie (@chessiers) December 10, 2019
It has also impacted Wynyard station in the city, and rather ironically, the RFS headquarters in Sydney’s west.
Is this the new norm? Smoke alarms have just gone off INSIDE Wynyard Station. If that’s how bad things are indoors, how bad is it outside for 5 million people. Why aren’t the government mobilising every resource at their disposal?? @ScottMorrisonMP #NSWfires #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/QwlbyZA4aH
— Peter Barry (@MunsterPete) December 10, 2019
Bushfire smoke in the CBD has set off the fire alarm at Wynyard Station #nswbushfire pic.twitter.com/tosA91ldSd
— Jaden Harris (@JadenHarris95) December 10, 2019
You’d laugh if it didn’t make you cough:
The Rural Fire Service Headquarters in Sydney’s west has been briefly evacuated, after smoke alarms went off inside the building – mostly likely due to heavy smoke in the area.
— Andy Park (@andy_park) December 9, 2019
Transport NSW has also warned that Opal gates may be impacted if fire alarms go off within a station.
Due to bushfire smoke, fire safety alarms may activate at some stations.
Please follow the instructions of staff.
Opal gates will be affected should an alarm be activated. If you require a fare adjustment, please see: https://t.co/YIPyvCX0YG pic.twitter.com/tLk1ddCpi9
— Trains Info (@TrainsInfo) December 10, 2019
The impact of the smoke has also shut down Sydney ferries due to lack of visibility and fine particle readings have had reached ‘hazardous’ across Sydney and parts of the Illawarra, Central Coast and Hunter Valley regions.
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment has also stated that visibility across some areas of Sydney’s north and west regions are 10 tens above the regular ‘hazardous’ rating.
Experts have predicted that the bush fires and smoke could last throughout the summer due to unprecedented heat and dryness.