Sydney woke this morning to a smoke-filled sky, but that didn't stop Sydneysiders from undertaking their outdoor exercise.
"I'm not running, which is what I was planning to do, but I have to walk the dog to get some exercise," says one resident.
Babies, children and the elderly particularly at risk, and health professionals are recommending against any outdoor activity.
Related: What to do about the health impact of bushfire smoke
Health authorities say the early bushfire season means we could have months of this. They are warning people with respiratory problems not to be complacent.
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"As much as possible stay indoors to reduce exposure to the wood smoke and if you're in your car use reverse cycle air conditioner," says Michele GOldman at the Asthma Foundation.
Asthma sufferer Liz Shield noticed the smoke on her way to work.
"Certainly by the time I got into the car I was starting to feel wheezy and coughing and started to feel the effects quickly," she says. "I was actually surprised,"
Doctors are advising asthmatics to carry their medication.
"You can actually die from smoke exposure even though you don't suffocate from it because we know there are increases in cardiovascular mortality," says Wayne Smith, director of Environmental Health at NSW.
Paramedics were kept busy today, as were doctors advising pregnant women.
"As their tummies get bigger they have difficulty breathing so certainly they shouldn't be doing any strenuous exercise because that's increasing the oxygen demands," says Dr Debra Kennedy from the Royal Womens Hospital.
