A COMBINATION of fires overnight in Wagga and bushfire smoke blown from elsewhere in the state has seen the city record a 541 on the air quality index.
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The NSW government's air quality index rating states that anything at or above 200 is classified as hazardous.
Fire and Rescue station commander Jeff Edwards said on Friday morning that firefighters were busy containing two fires that flared up overnight on the outskirts of Wagga.
Fire and Rescue and Rural Fire Service crews responded to a fire burning out of control at Red Hill Road in Moorong shortly after 9pm on Thursday night.
Crews also responded to a grassfire near the Silvalite Fuel Stop at 1.30am, which has been brought under control.
Mr Edwards said the fire at Moorong is under control, however extra resources were dispatched this morning to ensure it stays that way.
"It is at a place where it needs to be monitored with extra resources to ensure it does not escape the boundary put in place last night," he said.
Mr Edwards said the "fairly thick" smoke covering the city had the potential to disorientate and will be the biggest issue today.
He urged people to drive with caution with visibility severely impacted.
"We need everyone to be careful while driving because the [visibility] distance has been substantially cut down," he said.
With a "horrendous weekend" ahead, Mr Edwards reminded people to remain vigilant and look out for each other.
If a fire is detected, he said the community needs to contact emergency services as soon as possible.
