The smoke hanging around the region in the early part of the week was attributed by the Rural Fire Service to seasonal burn-offs, rather than drifting in from massive fires ravaging the Tathra region.

“We just ask farmers to be mindful of winds when they burn off so as not to impact the community,”  RFS Wagga operational officer Brad Stewart said.

“Last year it was pretty bad as there was a huge amount of burning off and the smoke impact was substantial, but this year we’re fortunate the need for burning off is not as great.”

High levels of pollen could also trigger some people with asthma, according to respiratory clinical nurse consultant Robyn Paton.

Ms Paton warned that it wasn’t just asthma sufferers who were at risk, but also people who lived with chronic respiratory conditions.

“It is probably timely to remind people who have these conditions to be aware,” she said.

“It doesn’t affect everybody the same way.”