A smoky haze that enveloped Geelong over the weekend is expected to remain for some time, sparking serious health concerns for local residents.
The white-grey curtain drifted eastwards from major bushfires between Beaufort and Avoca, north-west of Ballarat, obscuring views across Corio Bay and blocking out the sun on Sunday.
It triggered an official community information message for air quality in parts of the state, including Geelong and the Surf Coast.
Independent severe weather forecaster Dennis Luke said the mist is affecting communities hundreds of kilometres from the main fires.
“Virtually from Warrnambool all the way to Melbourne there’s different levels of smoke,” Mr Luke warned
Victoria faces the most serious fire threat in four years on Wednesday, with the mercury expected to again climb into the mid to high 30s.
Mr Luke said high levels of smoke increased the amount of Carbon Dioxide, or CO2, in the air.
“One of the things that bushfires have a tendency to do is elevate the CO2 concentration level,” he said.
“The more smoke you get the more CO2 is going to be apparent.
“When it gets to around 100 (parts per million) and we’re exposed for more than a few hours we start to feel certain things such as headaches, depending on your age and how healthy you are.
“Around Geelong on Wednesday you’re looking at about the 200 (level), if you’re exposed to that for more than two hours you need to get inside and take care of yourself.”
Mr Luke said people living closer to the fires could be exposed to potentially fatal CO2 levels.
“As it starts to get around the 400 mark it can be life-threatening after just a few hours.”
He said there were indications that some areas south of Beaufort could reach those levels on Wednesday.
“It has a very severe effect and people need to be aware of these sorts of things and take notice of it.”
