Australia's Sydney blanketed by haze from wildfires - in pictures

Wildfires have come close to the city

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  Birds fly in front of tower in a Sydney shrouded in haze as wildfires burn near the city on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. AP

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  Smoke haze blankets the Sydney skyline as wildfires burn near the city on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. AP

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  An image captured on a smart phone from a plane window displays smoke haze blanketing Sydney, Australia, November 19, 2019. AAP

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  A smoke covered Sydney skyline is the backdrop as runners jog at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair at Sydney Harbour on November 19, 2019. Getty Images

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  The Sydney skyline is seen shrouded by smoke on November 19, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images

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  A still image taken from a social media video shows haze blanketing Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia November 19, 2019. Reuters

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  A man takes a picture at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair in front of a smoke covered Sydney skyline on November 19, 2019. Getty Images

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  A plane is seen over smoke covered Botany Bay as it comes in to land in at Sydney Airport on November 19, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images

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  A still image taken from a social media video shows haze blanketing Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia November 19, 2019. Reuters

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  Smoke shrouds the Sydney Opera House on November 19, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images

Australia's wildfires have shrouded Sydney in dangerous smoke as the fires are burning close to the country's most populous city, prompting health concerns.

Officials said air quality in some areas was at 10 times hazardous levels on Tuesday Nov.19 and advised residents to stay indoors as much as possible.

Wildfires have claimed at least four lives so far, destroyed more than 300 homes, and also put local wildlife at huge risk as strong winds have encouraged more than 100 fires across the east coast. The states of New South Wales and Queensland have been hit particularly hard.

A woman on Tuesday endangered her own life to rescue a scorched koala in New South Wales - wrapping the animal in her shirt and cooling its burned skin and fur with water.

Australia is prone to bushfires in its dry, hot summers but fierce blazes have arrived much earlier than expected due to drought and soaring temperatures.