Pilliga Forest bushfire: Parts of Australia covered in smoke haze as warnings are issued about poor air quality

Parts of Australia are suffering from a a thick smoke haze as an out-of-control bushfire rages on.

Greater Sydney has recorded poor air quality due to a bushfire at Duck Creek in the Pilliga Forest, 570km north of the city.

The blaze has burned through more than 130,000 hectares and authorities have warned that embers are continuing to pose a danger to homes.

Smoke from the fire reached as far as Coonamble, Tamworth, Dubbo, Newcastle and Sydney. 

The smoke haze in Sydney is expected to ease later on Tuesday as winds change. 

'There is a forecast southerly change later this evening. So if you're tracking that on the weather apps, you'll see that slowly moving up the coast,' NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) spokesperson Greg Allan told 7NEWS.

'That should then push any smoke, and any other pollution, out of the Greater Sydney region. That won't be until later tonight, but that should help to clear the smoke.'

According to the New South Wales state government's air quality testing data, the air in the suburbs of Parramatta North, Macquarie Park and Rouse Hill has been described as 'poor'. 

Sensitive groups have been urged to avoid outdoor physical activity if they are beginning to notice symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. 

It is also advised that these groups in affected areas close windows when inside and follow their own treatment plans.

All other residents are advised to reduce outdoor physical activity if they notice any unpleasant symptoms. 

In Cammeray, Rozelle, Alexandria, Earlwood, Lidcombe, Liverpool, Bringelly, St Marys, Prospect, and on the Bradfield Highway, the air quality is recorded as 'fair'.

The Pilliga fire reached emergency level on Monday night as fierce winds spurred on the blaze, which even generated its own weather system.

'Overnight the fire generated a thunderstorm (pyro-cumulonimbus) to the southeast of the fireground, causing dangerous and erratic fire behaviour,' the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said.

Sydneysiders took to social media on Tuesday to share their experiences with the smoke haze.  

'Was wondering why the sky looked particularly apocalyptic today,' one user wrote

'Imagine if we get bushfires and storms on the same day.'

'I'm in Parramatta and everything's covered,' another said. 

'Can see and smell smoke in the Inner West. Cleaned my glasses a few times before I realised,' a third wrote.