For the last five days, retired Safeway clerk Wendell Nunes has been trapped inside his Langley home, unable to go outdoors because of the smoke in the air from B.C. wildfires.

鈥淭his is the worst I鈥檝e seen,鈥� said the 76-year-old Nunes, who has had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for more than 20 years and requires oxygen 24 hours a day.

鈥淚t limits me,鈥� Nunes said.

鈥淚f I was to go out, my walking about would stop (after a short time) because taking a breath is difficult.鈥�

A has been in place for the past week for the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

A statement issued Monday by the regional authority warned of 鈥渉igh concentrations of fine particulate matter鈥� due to smoke from the fires and said the elevated levels were 鈥渆xpected to persist until there is a change in fire or weather conditions.鈥�

The Advisory is continuing. Smoke still blankets Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley from wildfires throughout the province and western U.S. The region may see some improvements later in the week.

鈥� Metro Vancouver (@MetroVancouver)

People with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung or heart disease, as well as infants and the elderly, were advised to avoid strenuous exercise or long amounts of time outside until the smoke lifts.

Drive BC is warning drivers to be extra observant and keep their headlights and taillights on while driving.

Usually, Nunes, the treasurer of the for people with respiratory illness, gets outside a minimum of three times a week, to attend the group鈥檚 exercise class at the Timms community centre in Langley City.

Even staying indoors, he said he can feel the effects of the smoke.

鈥淢onday was really bad,鈥� Nunes said.

鈥淪leep, you don鈥檛 get a lot of. You cough.鈥�

He said family and friends of people with respiratory problems should understand that it is especially hard for them to function when the air quality drops.

鈥淛ust be supportive,鈥� he said.

dan.ferguson@langleytimes.com
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