Burn off blues: Brisbane battles smoke blanket beneath sunny skies
Brisbane has been blanketed by smoke this week with warnings issued to close windows and doors in affected areas and the Lung Foundation issuing tips on how to cope.
Burn offs help reduce the threat from bushfires (Pic: BCC)
Even the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast for Brisbane today was “smoke, then sunny.”
The smoke is from a burn off in the D’Aguilar National Park near Brookfield in Brisbane’s outer west and is done to reduce the threat of bushfires.
Burn offs occur from February through to August in the region but weather conditions have meant the smoke has been sitting over Brisbane.
The Lung Foundation said if a person is affected by wood smoke they should:
- Avoid physical activity outdoors while smoke is in the area (consider indoor activities instead)
- Rest more frequently and keep away from the smoke
- Follow your action plan and treatment advised by your doctor and keep your medicines close at hand
- Close windows and doors to minimise smoke coming into your home
- Switch your air conditioner (if you have one) to recycle or recirculate mode
- Check the expiry dates and the supply of your commonly used medicines.
- Have your emergency plan ready in the event of an evacuation or the loss of essential services (such as power loss) during bush fires.