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.

B次元官网网址淭his is the worst IB次元官网网址檝e seen,B次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淚t limits me,B次元官网网址� Nunes said.

B次元官网网址淚f I was to go out, my walking about would stop (after a short time) because taking a breath is difficult.B次元官网网址�

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 B次元官网网址渉igh concentrations of fine particulate matterB次元官网网址� due to smoke from the fires and said the elevated levels were B次元官网网址渆xpected to persist until there is a change in fire or weather conditions.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址� 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 groupB次元官网网址檚 exercise class at the Timms community centre in Langley City.

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

B次元官网网址淢onday was really bad,B次元官网网址� Nunes said.

B次元官网网址淪leep, you donB次元官网网址檛 get a lot of. You cough.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淛ust be supportive,B次元官网网址� he said.

dan.ferguson@langleytimes.com
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