Thick smoke is choking Sydney residents yet again today, while communities in rural New South Wales are dealing with the threat of extreme bush fires.
The crisis which authorities are warning is likely to continue for months has health experts worried about the toll on people's health, both physical and mental.
Hazardous air pollution has increased the risk of problems as serious as heart attack and stroke.
And mental health experts warn these fires, combined with concerns that politicians are not taking strong enough action on climate change, are fuelling anxiety issues.
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Featured:
Anthony Bradstreet, NSW Rural Fire Service
Professor Bin Jalaludin, University of New South Wales
Dr Stuart Schembri, Canberra Hospital
Ian Hickie, co-director, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney
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