Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, has been blanketed in a thick smoke haze during the afternoon peak hour, as a result of a prescribed burn-off in the city\u2019s eastern fringes. <\/p>\n
A warning was issued just before 2pm for smoky conditions affecting people across the entire Perth metropolitan area, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing ABC<\/a>.<\/p>\n The smoke<\/a> is the result of a scheduled burn-off south-east of Mundaring. The smoke is expected to clear on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n Perth\u2019s air quality index is rated as \u201cgood\u201d, but some parts of the city are starting to see conditions deteriorate \u2014 including South Lake, Quinns Rocks and Duncraig.<\/p>\n Residents have reported ash falling in suburbs such as Applecross and the Perth CBD. ABC radio listeners reported a \u201cthick pall\u201d of smoke near Fremantle, while listeners in areas as widespread as Victoria Park, Canning Vale and Yokine also noticed haze settling in.<\/p>\n People in affected areas are advised to shut doors and windows, and turn off air-conditioners. \u201cIt is concerning and I well appreciate the impact that it’s having particularly on some vulnerable people,\u201d Ms Winton told 102.5 ABC Perth.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very confident that the decisions that are taken to do prescribed burns are taken in the context of understanding the prevailing weather conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minister for Preventative Health Sabine Winton said the situation was not ideal for people with respiratory problems.<\/p>\n