HONOLULU -- All the thick smoke from the brush fires this summer has been causing breathing problems for Leeward O`ahu residents. The smoke has been so bad at times, some people with asthma or emphysema have been forced out of their homes.

The recent Nanakuli brush fire has been a smoky one. The thick smoke has blanketed residential areas and closed roads. Residents said it feels like they've been being smothered for the past three days.

"Right now, I get asthmatic bronchitis, which is a breathing problem from the smoke, and the smoke has been covering the whole valley," Nanakuli resident Sean Ellis said.

Respiratory therapist Nancy Mendoza said brush fire smoke can cause problems for people with asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

"If you're susceptible to airway irritation it can be a trigger, definitely," Mendoza said.

She said patients should stay in their house, use air conditioning if they have it, or try a mask.

"A basic mask that you can buy probably at any drug store and it would provide a little bit of protection. It just fits over your nose," Mendoza said.

However, some people with serious breathing problems will have to evacuate, and some have.

"We got some family members who have bad health and asthma. So, they had to evacuate down the road somewhere to a family member's house," Nanakuli resident Planai Rombawa-Ki said.