‘Ash’ falls on Perth suburbs as prescribed burns ‘blanket city in smoke’

Perth’s sunny spring sky has been turned a thick smoky grey thanks to prescribed burns on the outskirts of the city, with reports that “ash” is falling in some suburbs.

A smoke alert for the metropolitan area and adjoining Perth Hills was issued earlier on Wednesday by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA (DFES).

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Perth blanketed by smoke haze.

Prescribed burns east of Bedfordale, north of Guilderton, north of Boddington and on private property were expected to drive the haze.

7NEWS.com.au was told it was unlikely any other emergency would be contributing to the smoky sky.

One person commenting on Wednesday afternoon said ash was falling southeast of the city.

“I know prescribed burns are necessary but this is awful,” they said.

“Thick smoke and even ash falling in Kenwick.”

Another said it “looks like Armageddon”, while a third said the “wretched burn-off smoke is killing me”.

With a thick haze in the area, Main Roads WA warned drivers on Roe Hwy near Kenwick Link in Beckenham to switch on their lights and allow for extra braking distance.

Another person commenting online fumed that a “beautiful sunny day” had been ruined by burn-offs that had blanketed the whole city in smoke.

“The smoke is expected to clear throughout the evening and overnight under the influence of south-easterly winds,” DFES said.

The advice in the meantime is to shut doors and windows and turn off air-conditioners.

“People with asthma and pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses should follow their pre-prepared treatment plan,” DFES said.

Drivers making their way through impacted areas should also take extra care.