Smoke. Smoke everywhere, turning familiar objects pale and ghostly. Trees and buildings lost in the haze. Flecks of ash falling from the sky. Locals hurrying to shelter, pressing handkerchieves and face masks across their faces.
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There is, however, no cause for alarm, the NSW Rural Fire Service advise. The smoke comes from the east. Winds of up to 21 km/hour winds are blowing the smoke from Ebor and other surrounding fires.
A small fire in Dangarsleigh Road has been dealt with.
Residents should, however, take precautions.
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Air pollution can worsen asthma and chronic lung disease, and can cause heart attacks and worsen heart conditions, doctors advised recently.
For those with pre-existing asthma, lung or heart conditions, air pollution is particularly dangerous. However, even those with healthy lungs can be affected by high levels of air pollution.
"If the smoke is bad," Armidale GP Dr Sujata Allan advised, "people should stay inside and not do activities such as sport that get them out.
"People with chronic health conditions or the elderly should take particular care. See your GP or go to hospital if you have any breathing difficulties or chest pains, as we know that air pollution can worsen heart disease and lung disease.
"It is potentially serious, so don't take it too lightly."
MORE FIRE / SMOKE INFORMATION:
The Ebor blaze has already burnt more than 17,000 hectares, after being downgraded from a watch-and-act alert on Sunday.
Fire activity on its south side threatens to move closer towards properties near Wooroonah and the Oaky River; as well as west towards the Wongwibinda area.
The Waterfall Way between Ebor and Wollomombi is closed.
The RFS believe the fire could merge with the Carrai Creek blaze, which has already burnt more than 200,000 hectares on the tablelands, towards the coast, after fire activity started to pick up in the Styx River area.
