Bushfires continue to burn in Australia, with astonishing pictures today showing Sydney’s famous Opera House shrouded in smoke. Sydney is suffering from “some of the worst air quality” its ever seen, according to Dr Richard Broome of the New South Wales Health department.
He told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “The smoke here in Sydney is extremely bad today.
“We are urging people to take this seriously.”
At least four people have died in this year’s Australian bushfire season, with firefighters battling bushfires in New South Wales since September.
More than 680 homes have been destroyed in the blazes, and more than 2.5 million acres of bushland have been burned.
READ MORE: Australia fires: Latest warnings, evacuation orders as six dead
Authorities said they were concerned about a potentially severe bushfire season this year after Australia experienced its hottest summer on record.
Droughts and heat up to 35 degrees are thought to have contributed to the spread of the blazes earlier this year.
Although bushfires are common in Australia, the spread and ferocity of this season’s fires is unprecedented.
Climate experts said climate change has left bushland tinder-dry, optimum for the spread of fires.