MORE: First Coast fires

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  The smoke that blankets the city is so thick, it is seeping into homes, vehicles and individuals' clothing. In most cases, it is impossible to keep the smoke out, but there are ways to keep it from lingering.

In homes, air-conditioning expert Ed Miller, who works for Snyder Air advised residents to do the following:

• Keep the garage door closed.
• Make sure that the air handler, the unit inside the home or in the garage, is properly sealed.
• Change air filters.

"You should change it today and tomorrow if necessary," said Miller.

Don't use any kind of filter, Miller said, instead, make sure it is a pleated filter. "A pleated filter has the ridges to catch smoke, dust and dirt," he said.

The City of Jacksonville’s Environmental and Compliance Department issued an air quality advisory today in response to the National Weather Service’s forecast for smoke from a fire currently burning in Southern Georgia.  Elevated levels of particulate matter from the smoke have impacted the Jacksonville area today, (June 14), as winds blow smoke into the area.

Phyisicans at St. Vincent's Medical Center are warning people about the health effects of the smoke from recent wildfires.  Doctors say they are seeing a rise in the number of patients complaining about irritation from smoke.

Pulmonologist Dr. Thomas Szwed, who works at St. Vincent's Medical Center, says people exercising outdoors may feel the effects.