Forecasters predict Floridians will be breathing in the smoke throughout Wednesday while state officials say the fires are likely to spread.
Thick acrid smoke shrouded many drivers' evening and morning commutes. It even covered some hi-rises in the state's largest metropolitan areas who are far from the fires in Florida's brushland.
''These can be very volatile situations,'' said Craig Fugate, state emergency management director, who warned that people could be forced to evacuate with little notice.
In a Miami Herald article Brian Johnson who works at Jackson Memorial Hospital in downtown Miami said the smoke even started to permeate into the hospital.
''The smell started coming through the ventilators,'' he said.
"We are experiencing a lot of smoke and smoky haze throughout the county, due to the wildfires burning in Florida and Georgia, said Cindy Morris, Administrator, Environmental Health Services, Hillsborough County Health Dept. in a Tampa Bay 10 report. "People with breathing problems are encouraged to stay indoors if possible to reduce their exposure to the smoke."
Officials are asking citizens not to clog emergency lines, after residents flooded local systems with calls.
To put things into perspective so far this year 1,875 wildfires have burned 166,247 acres. While in an average year the state suffers from about 5,000 wildfires charring about 200,000 acres.
Some of the recommendations officials are giving concerning smoke inhalation are as follows:
Pay attention and stay alert to any news coverage or health warnings related to smoke.
If it is smoky outside avoid prolonged outdoor activities. It is especially important to limit time spent outdoors for children and persons with existing medical conditions.
If you have an air conditioner, stay indoors to help reduce exposure to smoke.
People who do not have an air conditioner should consider spending time in areas such as shopping malls and public libraries. Staying inside a house without air conditioning with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather.
When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns inside, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves, and even candles, because they raise the particle levels in your home.
If you feel you are experiencing adverse health affects, contact a physician for an evaluation or advice.
