Australia’s Perth Covered in Smog Haze from Bushfires, Threat to Life and Property Alert On

Cars drive on a highway during heavy smog in the central Bosnian town of Kakanj, December 20, 2013. Dense smog has blanketed various Bosnian cities in recent days and locals say that the mixture of smog and fog has made it hard to breathe, according to local media. A state of emergency was declared in the nearby town of Zenica due to the thick smog, which reports say is caused by industrial pollution, traffic fumes and smoke from household coal fires. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

Officials have warned residents in Western Australia, particularly Perth, to take necessary precautions against the smog haze currently enveloping the state. The smoke emanated from a bushfire that started on Friday. Authorities have issued a corresponding alert versus life and property.

Motorists have been advised to turn on headlights and travel at appropriate speeds as the smog haze may greatly reduce visibility on some roads.

Cars drive on a highway during heavy smog in the central Bosnian town of Kakanj, December 20, 2013. Dense smog has blanketed various Bosnian cities in recent days and locals say that the mixture of smog and fog has made it hard to breathe, according to local media. A state of emergency was declared in the nearby town of Zenica due to the thick smog, which reports say is caused by industrial pollution, traffic fumes and smoke from household coal fires. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

People afflicted with asthma and other existing health problems such as respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses as well as diabetes are advised to seek medical advice on how to cope with these circumstances.

Residents are likewise advised to shut doors and windows in their homes, as well as turn off air-conditioners.

Believed to have started due to "deliberate lighting," the blaze started in bushland in Mount Roe National Park at 4pm (WST) on Friday. The area is 30 kilometres northwest of Denmark in the Great Southern region.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife is hopeful the smoke will clear out by Monday.

Moving at a moderate speed in a northwesterly direction, the bushfire has burnt through 13,300 hectares.

An earlier issued watch and act alert remains in place for those residing in the western part of the Shire of Plantagenet, east of Clear Hills Road, south of Muir Highway and west of Pile and Springs roads.

"There remains a possible threat to lives and homes, as a fire in the area is still burning and conditions are changing," the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) said.