Smoke from a bushfire in the Otway Ranges has drifted around Melbourne and surrounding areas, prompting health warnings for residents.
On Sunday morning, Melbourne’s air quality was rated among the worst in the world for major cities, according to air quality website IQAir, at one point reaching sixth position.
But it has since dropped down the list as the air quality began improving in the early afternoon.
Vic Emergency issued a statement saying due to weather conditions the smoke may linger over the coming hours and urged vulnerable people to stay indoors and limit physical activity where possible.
Smoke blankets the Melbourne skyline from the Yarra River. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)
The air quality in Melbourne’s CBD, according to Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA), was rated Very Poor between 8am to midday.
Areas in Melbourne’s inner and outer west, like Footscray and Melton, were also rated Very Poor on Sunday morning, as were parts of the city’s north-east.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground was barely visible amid the smoke haze. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca )
The worst recorded quality was in Sunbury, located in Melbourne’s north-west, where the rating had been Extremely Poor between 9am and midday — the highest on the EPA’s scale.
But since midday, the air quality had improved in many parts of the city and the EPA’s ratings had been downgraded.
While the men’s third-round match between Casper Ruud and Marin Čilić on Margaret Court Arena was briefly paused overnight to close the roof due to smoke, the ceilings of the arena courts remained open on Sunday.
A smoke haze has descended on Melbourne Park. (ABC Sport)
Bureau of Meteorology hazard preparedness and response manager Diana Eadie said the “significant” smoke would continue into the afternoon.
She said areas north of the Otway fires, including Ballarat, could also be affected today due to southerly winds.
“We are expecting an easing trend as we head into tomorrow,” she said.
Victorians who are vulnerable to smoke are encouraged to stay indoors today. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)
Ms Eadie said there might be a return of smoky conditions for Melbourne on Wednesday, following predicted record-breaking hot temperatures on Tuesday, depending on how the fire situation evolved in the coming days.
The bushfire burning out of control in Victoria’s south-west has grown overnight and is threatening properties in the Otways.
The Carlisle River fire is now 1 kilometre from the community of Gellibrand, spreading in an easterly direction, with an Emergency Warning in place which states it could impact homes at any time.
The Melbourne air quality rating will be poor to very poor for central areas of the city today. (ABC News: Supplied)
This morning, the strong smell of smoke spread across Melbourne and many drivers continued using headlights on hazy freeways.
Social media users shared images of the hazy skyline.
Vic Emergency said people more sensitive to smoke were those with a heart or lung condition, including asthma, people over the age of 65, infants and children, and pregnant women.
Melbourne will reach a top of 25 degrees Celsius today. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca )
Signs of smoke irritation include itchy eyes, sore throat, runny nose and coughing.
Healthy adults usually find that after a short exposure to smoke these symptoms clear up once they are away from the irritant.
The smoke in Melbourne has drifted from bushfires in the state’s south-west. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)
But in some people, symptoms may worsen and include wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing.
People with pre-existing health conditions are advised to take their medication, follow their treatment plan, and seek immediate medical advice if symptoms persist.
In the Otways, conditions are expected to ease today but extreme heat will return on Tuesday.
Locals reported a thick smell of smoke in Melbourne overnight and this morning. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)