Fires in Australia: a yellowed sky and burning smells in New Zealand

The some 200 forest fires raging in Australia have repercussions as far as New Zealand, an archipelago located several thousand kilometers away. Usually white glaciers have taken on a tinge of caramel color, according to weather services and testimonies on social networks.

This acrid smoke emitted in the area for the first time on Wednesday morning. In some regions, the sun appeared as a red or golden globe, depending on the thickness of the toxic cloud.

"We can clearly see this smoke, which has traveled about 2,000 km across the Tasman Sea," said the New Zealand weather forecast service in a message posted on Twitter. "In the most affected regions, visibility is poor, 10 km," adds the weather agency.

“Caramelized” snow on a glacier

"We can really smell the burnt smell here in Christchurch," wrote a Twitter user, who calls herself Miss Roho.

This the view from the top of the Tasman Glacier NZ today - whole South island experiencing bushfire clouds. We can actually smell the burning here in Christchurch. Thinking of you guys. 😢 # nswbushfire #AustralianFires #AustraliaBurning pic.twitter.com/iCzOGkou4o

Another woman, Rachel, posted a photo of a glacier more than 2,000 km away on Wednesday, whose pristine white has turned brown. “Next to the Franz Josef glacier. "Caramelized" snow is caused by dust from forest fires, "she wrote.

A New Zealand actor, Jemaine Clement, published the photo of a golden globe. "Throughout New Zealand, the smoke from Australian fires in the atmosphere gives us this strange sun," he said.

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Christchurch journalist Chris Lynch posted a very eloquent photo montage on Twitter of the village of Akaroa before and after the fires.

Incredible view of Akaroa from the hilltop. Top image was taken by Pete Seager a few years ago. The smoky photo at 6:11 pm last night by Christchurch author Deb Donnell. This really puts in perspective how devastating it must be in Australia. @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/obHsjS4wTb

The violent fires that have been raging since September across Australia were particularly intense and deadly on Tuesday in the southeast of the territory, due in particular to weather conditions.