WESTON, Fla. — Residents in Weston say smoke from the Atlantic fire created noticeable changes in air quality, with some choosing to stay indoors as the wildfire continued burning in western Broward County.
Weston resident Jose Infante said the smell from the smoke was strong and lingered for several days.
“It was a thick smell -- very pronounced like burning oil and it lingered for about two or three days,” Infante said.
Infante said he takes regular walks but decided not to on Tuesday because of the smoky conditions.
“I usually walk every day and I didn’t go out. It was just too thick,” he said.
Other residents shared different levels of concern, noting that brush fires and their impact on air quality are not uncommon in western Broward communities.
Weston resident Leslie Armstrong said smoky conditions can sometimes happen in the area but usually improve.
“The morning sometimes is a little smoky, but it goes away by the afternoon,” Armstrong said.
Another resident said the smoke can be more concerning for those with health issues.
“People (can) have breathing conditions or asthma like my wife does so she’s very reluctant to go outside. I don’t have asthma. I go out, but I don’t stay outside and sit around the pool,” the resident said.
While the fire showed little visible activity Tuesday, officials stressed it remains an active wildfire.
Dr. Rohan Dang of Optimize Medical Primary Care in Coral Springs said the effects of wildfire smoke on health are not always immediately noticeable.
“There’s actually longer-term issues or more serious issues you can get from the Smoke because of the particulate matter that you breath in,” Dang said.
He said people with conditions including asthma, COPD and sleep apnea, as well as those with heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, may face a higher risk from exposure to wildfire smoke.
Dang said the best way to reduce exposure is to limit time outdoors.
“The key is really the simple thing – stay inside,” he added.
Dang also recommended keeping air conditioning systems set to recirculate instead of bringing outside air indoors, using air filters and keeping medications updated and on hand.
He said people should avoid unnecessary outdoor activities while smoke continues to impact air quality.
“If you have optional things that you could be doing outdoors, whether it’s sports or activities or things like that, now is not the time,” Dang said.
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