Smoke from a fire burning on the eastern side of the Georges River near Airds and Kentlyn is covering a huge chunk of the air over Campbelltown once again.
An easterly breeze this morning made the smoky conditions the worst since the fire started last Friday.
The NSW Rural Fire Service Macarthur say they hope to reduce the severity of smoke in the next 24 to 48 hours.
They plan to employ a strategy of “aerial incendiaries” – basically aerial backburning – to bring the fire under control.
A number of factors have contributed to the smoke situation, says the RFS.
The fire – the RFS calls it the Mackel Airfield Fire – is burning across 2,700 hectares of mostly Defence land in Holsworthy, some of it containing unexploded ammunition.
There are fires in valleys within the site, which normally would contain water courses.
But because of the current dry conditions there’s more fuel than usual.
It is these fires in the valleys the RFS hopes to attack with aerial incendiaries in the next couple of days, if they can get the ideal conditions required, including higher humidity levels.
Once this happens it will speed up the burning process in a controlled approach, bringing an early end to the smoky conditions.
While there are no threats to properties from the fire, the RFS spokesman referred residents who may be seriously affected by the smoke to advice offered online by NSW Health.
The website reminds people that children, older adults and people with heart and lung conditions are most susceptible to the effects of excessive smoke.
If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice.
Residents are also urged to monitor the NSW RFS hazard reduction page for information about planned burns and smoke advisories in your area.
Also, keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke from entering your home.
- For further information visit the RFS website rfs.nsw.gov.au.
If you see sick or injured wildlife please contact a wildlife org asap WIRES or Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services)