Australia

Smoke from Australian bushfires drifting as far away as New Zealand

cde.news desk 2 January 2020, 13:01 · 1 min read

A handout photo made available by NASA Worldview of a satellite image showing smoke originating from bushfires burning in Australia (L-top) drifting over New Zealand, 01 January 2020 (issued 02 January 2020). Smoke from bushfires in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales has created a haze across New Zealand, thousands of kilometers away. EPA-EFE/NASA WORLDVIEW HANDOUT

Smoke from huge bushfires in Australia is drifting as far away as New Zealand, 2,000km (1,200 miles) away, leading to haze and a burnt smell in the air.

Australia is grappling with bushfire crisis fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of drought.

The smoke first reached New Zealand’s South Island on 31 December turning skies a hazy yellow.

Since then, the south’s famous glaciers have vanished in haze and even North Island has seen its skies turn “eerie”.

At least 18 people are confirmed to have been killed by the bushfires, which have burned vast areas of several Australian states.

Several people are still missing, and conditions are expected to worsen over the coming weekend.

Smoke from Australian bushfires drifting as far away as New Zealand

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