By Bonny Burrows
Planned burns across eastern Victoria have affected air quality across Cardinia Shire.
A smoky haze has been visible across much of the shire and broader Melbourne this morning as the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning conducts approximately 100 burns across the state.
The burns and resulting smoke resulted in the Environment Protection Authority issuing a community information message.
EPA executive director of knowledge standards and assessments Tim Eaton advised locals to monitor the EPA website for hourly updates.
“On the website you can see hour-by-hour changes to get a sense of when smoke is at its worst,” Mr Eaton said.
“We are seeing a spike in smoke across Melbourne this morning over the last couple of hours.”
The elderly, young children, pregnant women and those with pre-existing medical conditions are advised to limit their exposure to the smoke, and it is also recommended people limit physical exercise in these conditions.
Mr Eaton said residents should expect some relief this afternoon as strong winds come through.
For more information about air quality, visit www.epa.vic.gov.au/epaairwatch.
