Saying that it’s been a bit smokey in Sydney today is probably one of the all-time great understatements. The smoke haze that has blanketed much of the New South Wales capital for a hot few days now has intensified to a remarkable degree today, with air pollutant levels sitting some 11 times above the level considered hazardous, and smoke so think in parts of the inner city that it actually managed to set off fire alarms in train stations and commercial buildings.
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And while the general word from anyone attempting to mill about the city this afternoon is that it all looks a little bit apocalyptic, the photos from around the city this afternoon are something else entirely.
The unmistakable, iconic landmarks of Sydney virtually disappeared from everywhere but right up close as the smoke peaked in the mid-morning, with both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge even disappearing from view from as close as Circular Quay.
Can’t even see the Harbour Bridge or Opera House from the Gateway building at Circular Quay. Fire alarms are going off all around the city. pic.twitter.com/jnufOFgksz
— Evan (@fictillius) December 10, 2019
That blanket of smoke will loom large in the background of at least one couple’s happiest day, with a wedding clearly intended to take place in the shadow of the bridge taking place in the shadow of something else entirely instead.
Antonio and Paula’s wedding day – in front of the most iconic backdrop in #sydneysmoke pic.twitter.com/jRwm32EqmA
— ANDREW THOMAS (@and_thomasComms) December 10, 2019
The city virtually vanished in the thick cloud of smoke, one that has prompted scores of health warnings and doesn’t look like leaving Sydney anytime soon.
Elsewhere, views that might otherwise have fetched a lazy million or three faded away, becoming less like prestige housing and more like property on the edge of the everlasting abyss.
Across social media, folks have been posting images and video from the insane scenes all afternoon, and it paints a fairly universal picture.
World-famous Bondi Beach … #nswbushfire #sydneysmoke pic.twitter.com/8qcjAaWp3C
— caroline pegram (@caroline_pegram) December 10, 2019
Today it seems like the worst from all days that our city is chocking with smoke.
This is 6:30am and sunrise. Normally I have a clear view to all the buildings in the city (only 3km away).
I woke up to my throat burning inside my bedroom. 30+ days like this.#SydneySmoke pic.twitter.com/JdNYORv3E2
— Rami Mandow 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@CosmicRami) December 9, 2019
I love the smell of #LNP government in the morning#sydneysmoke #bushfiresNSW pic.twitter.com/HTgTBeB6bD
— Dallas Grasby (@DrDallasG) December 9, 2019
The view in October. The view today. #sydneysmoke @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/59iLCzfQ37
— Emily MacDonald (@emilycmacdonald) December 10, 2019
If you’re in the city and looking to escape the smoke, the Library is open to everyone. #sydneysmoke
We have #free wifi, quiet spaces to work and read and some great exhibitions to check out. pic.twitter.com/hH9byR663u
— State Library of NSW (@statelibrarynsw) December 10, 2019
This is Sydney Harbour right now! Lends a whole new meaning to that Tourism Australia ad campaign.
”Where The Bloody Hell Are You?” indeed !!!#sydneyfires #sydneysmoke #ClimateCrisis
Image credit: @jikoala. pic.twitter.com/XWMk2edDpx— Peter Murphy (@PeterWMurphy1) December 10, 2019
Lavender Bay at 7:30am. Where is our nationally-coordinated response? Anything less is negligence. #bushfiresNSW #sydneysmoke pic.twitter.com/zoSSTVKwQl
— Jerome Doraisamy (@JeromeDoraisamy) December 9, 2019
The only reason coal & petrol made us think it’s cheap is because the bill is sent to the future. If they’d bear the full costs they’d be bankrupt a long time ago. This is the future: #sydneysmoke #NSWbushfires #ClimateCrisis #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/hMlKK9ySwM
— Solo Monk (@JJKALE2) December 5, 2019
Bushfire smoke over Manly Beach, Sydney this morning.
📸 Lawrie Wilson#AustraliaBurns #sydneysmoke #bushfiresNSW #bushfires #sydneyfires #sydney #australia #australiafires pic.twitter.com/vTY7F14wMf— theloneisobar (@DeanSgarbossa) December 10, 2019
And for Scumo’s latest trick, a disappearing Sydney Harbour Bridge! #sydneysmoke #sydneyharbourbridge pic.twitter.com/3lhqVOIVNn
— Ryan Herford (@geniusflip) December 9, 2019
Hell of a day out there, mates. One hell of a day indeed.
