Air quality in Sydney and surrounds has been classed ‘hazardous’, as parts of Victoria set to face hottest October day on record

This article is more than 10 months old

This article is more than 10 months old

Smoke from fires burning in northern New South Wales has triggered health warnings for Sydney and other parts of the state, with conditions expected to persist into the weekend.

It comes as parts of Victoria were forecast to reach their hottest October day on record and Melbourne was set to record its hottest October day since 2015.

Air quality in the lower Hunter, eastern Sydney, western Sydney and north-west Sydney has been classed as hazardous, with NSW Health urging people with respiratory conditions, in particular, to take precautions, including staying indoors and protecting the eyes, nose and throat to avoid irritation.

More than 70 bush and grass fires have been burning in the north and north-east of NSW.

Out of control bushfire at Port Macquarie blankets Sydney in smoke haze Read more

Smoke from an out of control bushfire in Port Macquarie and other fires on the mid-north coast, far-north coast and the New England region has contributed to the haze blanketing large parts of Sydney.

Hundreds of koalas are feared to have died in the fire near Port Macquarie, which has burned more than 2500 hectares, including a koala breeding ground.

Jordan Notara, a senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology said the smoke was likely to remain in eastern parts of the state until later on Sunday or early on Monday, when the next front is expected.

In Victoria, maximum forecast temperatures on Thursday were more than 10 degrees above average in some areas.

Melbourne was forecast to reach 35C, its hottest October day in four years. Sale, in the Gippsland region, was also forecast to reach 35C , its hottest October day since records began in 1945.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast very warm overnight temperatures in the low to mid 20s and a second day of temperatures in the mid 30s across the state on Friday.

Fire danger ratings in Victoria will reach severe on Friday with the potential for strong and gusty northerly winds.

There is also potential for hazy conditions in the state on Friday due to dust.

A cool change is forecast for the weekend.

South Australia is also experience heatwave conditions, with temperatures in the mid 30s in Adelaide. Ceduna was forecast to reach 41C.