Northern Tasmania is currently experiencing elevated levels of smoke which are not likely to dissipate until tomorrow (Saturday) morning.
It appears that much of the smoke has originated from Victoria, and has been blown over Tasmania by northerly winds which are expected to persist until sometime tomorrow.
Health effects from smoke include irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. Some people with existing health problems can experience temporary worsening of symptoms during smoke episodes.
People can reduce their exposure to smoke by
* Staying indoors with windows and doors closed where possible
* If they have an air conditioner use it and set it to 'recycle' or 'recirculate'.
* Avoiding physical activity outdoors because it increases breathing and causes the inhalation of more smoke particles.
* These steps are particularly important for people with medical conditions that can be made worse by smoke
* People with chronic medical conditions should follow their plan (such as their asthma action plan) for managing flare-ups. Those who do not have a plan should see their GP to prepare one.
There are various ways you can keep track of the smoke:
* You can check the smoke particle levels nearby through the Environment Protection Authority's real-time air quality data. http://epa.tas.gov.au/Pages/Real-Time-Air-Quality-Data-for-Tasmania.aspx
* You can see when an air quality notification is active in your area and follow the recommended precautions. Air quality notifications are activated when smoke levels are high in an area for just one hour. http://dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/alerts/air
* You can also download the free AirRater app to keep track of air quality and weather in your area. https://airrater.org/
Further advice about smoke and your health is available on the DHHS website. http://dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/air/bushfire_smoke