The largest wildfire in Georgia's history continues to burn and it’s sending smoke all the way down into Central Florida.
The fire in the south Georgia swamp has now grown to about 125 square miles, and at least a dozen fires have sparked up around it. The fire is about 70 percent contained, but lack of rain and heavy winds are making it difficult to control.
The fire has blanketed Central Florida with a hazy layer of smoke. The winds pushed that smoke and haze south. Fire dispatchers throughout most of Central Florida said they were inundated with calls.
Firefighters are asking people to call 911 only if they see a column of dark smoke or actual flames.
News 13 meteorologists said the smoky and hazy conditions could continue through mid-week. The smoke from that brush fire in Georgia is making life miserable for folks with respiratory issues in Central Florida.
Doctors at Nemours Clinic in Orlando said people with asthma, cystic fibrosis and other respiratory diseases should stay indoors with the windows closed and the air conditioner on until the air is clear. If you do have to venture out, turn the air conditioner in your car on recirculate, so you are not drawing outside air inside the vehicle.
"Some people that are prone to allergic rhinitis where they get chronic runny nose and coughing and sneezing, again, should minimize their exposure outdoors," said Dr. Mark Weatherly, a pediatric pulmonologist at Nemours. "Some of the masks people will wear, actually do not do anything because they filter out large particles and small particles get into their system. As much as possible stay indoors and stay on medications that would be appropriate."
Weatherly said it is best not to exercise outdoors even if you do not have difficulty breathing. He said exercise will force you to breathe deeply.
Weatherly said it is best to check the Air Quality Index before venturing back out if you have breathing issues.
Air Quality Index (AQI) - A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health - http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=static.aqi