Air quality warning as smoke haze blankets Melbourne
Melburnians woke to smoke haze this morning, due to planned burn-offs around the state.
Air quality in Dandenong and Lilydale at 9.20am was rated ‘very poor’ by the EPA, while air quality in Box Hill and Spotswood is ‘poor’.
The EPA rates air in most other parts of Melbourne as ‘fair’.
People who are sensitive to air pollution may experience symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath. Those impacted are advised to avoid outdoor physical activity of they develop symptoms and close windows and doors until outdoor air quality improves.
Planned burn-offs — including burns near Daylesford, in Toolangi, north of Ballarat, near Healesville, Macedon, Kinglake West and Warrandyte — are responsible for the haze.
Chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, Chris Hardman, says there have been 26 planned burns in the last week, and many are still active.
“Over the weekend we’ve been burning in some area surrounding the greater metropolitan area — so Healesville, up in the Dandenong Ranges and up around Warrandyte as well,” he told Neil Mitchell.
Mr Hardman says Forest Fire Management Victoria has worked “very closely with the EPA”.
See all planned burns here.
See the EPA’s air quality ratings here.
Press PLAY below for details on the planned burns
Image (inset): VicEmergency