Rowing out of the haze.......

..... this shows from the Nepean River what we woke to this morning a thick smoke "haze" as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald -
Sydneysiders have woken up to a grey haze and a strong smell of smoke, caused by a burn-off in the Blue Mountains.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has been conducting a hazard reduction burn over 3000 hectares near Bilpin.

National Parks and Wildlife Service metropolitan director Gary Dunnet this week said authorities were making the most of dry weather to conduct the burns, which get rid of fire fuels like dry leaves and vegetation.

A very small amount of smoke may have come from a grass fire that broke out on the northern beaches overnight, Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman Superintendent Chris Sedgwick said.

The fire burnt about half a hectare in Careel Headland Reserve, Avalon.

"It burnt for a number of hours. It didn't go anywhere or threaten any properties."

An alert on the NSW Environment and Heritage website this morning warned that elderly people and young children in the city's north-west should avoid outdoor exercise.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/smoky-morning-caused-by-blue-mountains-burn-off-20120829-24zaz.html#ixzz2cwSpC6Rc

These burn offs are conducted right through winter and into Spring to help reduce the amount of "fuel" on the ground prior to summer. Always advised by the New South Wales Rural Fire Services, however as happened today if there is no wind around the haze hangs about for possibly a good part of the day.

Maybe these rowers and others exercising should be mindful of the air condition.

Enjoy, and have a look in LARGE

The bridge you can just see in the background is the M4 freeway crossing.