Illawarra residents are waking to another smoky day as the haze from fires in northern NSW causes poor air quality across the region.
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Air quality across parts of the Illawarra showed as very poor or hazardous on the Department of Environment's air quality index on Thursday morning, and those with a chronic respiratory or heart conditions have been urged to avoid outdoor activity and stay indoors if possible.
The department's air quality index showed parts of the lower Hunter, upper Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney's east are rated as "hazardous".
Within Sydney, Randwick, Rozelle, Chullora, Earlwood and Macquarie Park were given a hazardous rating.
Smoke from bushfires near Port Macquarie and the Hunter region has been pushed down over parts of Sydney, and as far as Bowral and the Illawarra.
Northerly winds will continue into at least Thursday with the potential to bring more smoke over the affected areas, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
A bushfire which continues to burn in the area of Lake Innes and Lake Cathie, south of Port Macquarie, has burned more than 2550 hectares, including an important koala breeding ground.
While there are no total fire bans in place for Thursday the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, greater Hunter, greater Sydney, far South Coast, Southern Ranges and Central Ranges areas are under very high fire danger.
AAP
