 At Audiology Associates of Prestonsburg, you can live your life the way you want and find the freedom of better hearing. You'll experience patient care that is specific to you with exceptional follow-up care that ensures your hearing and balance needs are being met. Audiology Associates at 1428 Northlake Drive in Prestonsburg. As wildfires continue to spread throughout the area, wind gusts are sweeping smoke into surrounding cities. Mountaintop spoke with public health director Tammy Riley to discuss the impact on residents who inhale the smoke. Wildfires release contaminants into the atmosphere and the environment like release of carbon monoxide, fine particulate matters, carbon dioxide. So there's more than just what you see and smell with the smoke. There's a risk with the top of contaminants that are released with wildfires. Those with pre-existing conditions such as COPD and asthma may be at risk for complications when inhaling smoke. Other factors such as flu season, RSV season and COVID could play a role in health complications relating to inhalation of smoke. There's quite a few respiratory viruses. We have widespread flu cases across the state of Kentucky. So we're starting to see that impact here in Pied County and there's been some high levels of RSV and, like I said, other respiratory. So those types of pre-existing conditions and acute viruses can certainly be exacerbated with the smoke. During wildfires, there's an increased number of people visiting the emergency room due to cardio and respiratory issues. It is advised that those with pre-existing conditions limit their time outdoors and try to avoid the smoke as much as possible. For Mountain Top News, I'm Kelsey Dean.