The hot, stifling haze hanging over Brisbane is set to stay for a few more days.

Current weather patterns have combined with several out of control grass fires to blanket the city in thick smog.

Lincoln Humphries reports.

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A city choked by smoke.

Less than a week after the Bureau of Meteorology’s warning of increased bushfire danger this season, nearly 200 blazes are currently raging across the state.

Commissioner Lee Johnson, Qld Fire & Rescue: “It’s going to be a busy fire season, there’s no doubt about that.”

Last summer’s torrential rain resulted in huge volumes of grass and other vegetation which is now fuelling the fires.

Commissioner Lee Johnson, Qld Fire & Rescue: “Most of that area that had significant rainfall and quite substantial grass growth has been in these areas, and they’re the areas that we expect above normal fire activity.”

Having made its way to Brisbane, the smoke poses a special risk for those with respiratory conditions.

Dr Simon Bowler, Asthma Foundation: “Could be someone who’s got asthma, could be somebody that’s got smoking related lung disorders, chroninc bronchitis or emphysema.”

Fortunately, for the rest of us, there isn’t a serious health risk.

Dr Simon Bowler, Asthma Foundation: “I don’t think people should lock themselves up inside their houses and not go out, I think life needs to go on.”

According to the bureau, these hot, dry and still conditions are going to stickaround until Wednesday at least, unfortunately that also means the haze is going to get worse before it gets better.

Brett Harrison, Senior Forecaster Bureau of Meteorology: “On Wednesday we’ll have a surface trough move through the area, we’ll see some south-westerly winds and slightly less stable conditions about so it might mean the smoke haze has a chance to dissipate.

And while that may clear our city’s air, those very same winds may intensify the battle for firefighters.

Lincoln Humphries, QUT News.