Sydney is being blanketed in a cloud of smoke following backburning operations in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury.

The hazard reduction burns are just one way of decreasing the risk of bushfires but has left the Sydney skyline almost unrecognisable after people woke to the Sydney Harbour Bridge being shrouded in smoke.

The NSW Rural Fire Service says the smoke is expected to clear throughout the day and has warned people to keep their windows up whilst driving and at home.

Check out the scenes of Sydney being blanketed in smoke below:

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