South Floridians suffering from respiratory illnesses flooded emergency rooms and pharmacies last week after the state was covered for days by a blanket of smoke.

According to Michelle Cuello, Broward General Hospital’s Marketing and Media Relations representative, the emergency room has seen, on average, one new patient every hour for respiratory problems during that period.

The smoke, which hovered menacingly in the air, covered cars and buildings with soot and was a health hazard to the elderly and people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma. Health officials warned both groups to stay indoors.

Cuello said, however, Dr. Nabil ElSinadi who heads the emergency division, reported that 99 percent of those patients had pre-existing respiratory problems which have been triggered or made worse by the smoke.

Across Florida and parts of southeastern Georgia, haze and a burning smell tainted the air since last week Tuesday, despite some rainfall over parts of Broward County on Sunday evening.

A pharmacist at a CVS Pharmacy in Tamarac, Broward told CNWeekly News that there was an unusual demand from walk-in customers on Sunday, seeking nasal sprays and other respiratory medications.

Both elderly and young people were complaining of breathing problems. He said although it was best for people who were susceptible to worsening of respiratory or heart problems from the smoke to stay indoors, he advised them that if they had to be outdoors they should either were a mask, or a scarf or handkerchief soaked in rubbing alcohol or water over their nose.

According to an asthmatic, Julia Stewart, who uses her pump occasionally, she has been forced to use it frequently because of an uncomfortable tightening of her chest.

With fires still raging across the state and the sporadic and sparse rainfall, there is a fear of a recurrence of the smoke-filled air.

When Florida Governor Charlie Crist made a helicopter tour of some of the areas badly affected by the fires last week, the smoke was so thick that the pilot flew low above the smoldering blazes so the governor could see it.

Crist and Major General Douglas Burnett of the Florida National Guard said the state has about 11,000 soldiers available and enough equipment, such as trucks and helicopters, to help Florida through the spring wildfire season. A total of 236 fires were burning in the state, charring 87,285 acres -- about 136 square miles.

"Florida is prepared. Florida is ready. I don't know any state that is more prepared than Florida," Crist said after the tour.

Despite the rain on Sunday evening, a major fire was blazing along the Georgia/Florida border on Monday morning. This fire was being aided by a strong wind that was complicating firefighters’ efforts to contain it. Officials warned residents that they might have to evacuate. As a matter of fact, these officials were fearful that although rain was in the immediate forecast, lightning strikes from the rainstorms could cause more fires.

The wildfire at the Georgia/Florida border was started by lightning more than a week ago and raced through the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia and into northern Florida. By Monday, it had burned 102,500 acres in Florida and 139,813 acres of swampland in Georgia -- nearly 380 square miles in all. The fire was 30 percent contained in Florida and the smoke was beginning to lift enough for firefighting aircraft to take off after being grounded all weekend because of low visibility.

Smoke from hundreds of fires in the two states has plagued drivers. About 75 miles of Interstates 10 and 75 in Florida which had to be closed because of the thick smoke were expected to open only intermittently on Monday. It was this haze that traveled as far south as the Broward/Miami-Dade area, over 340 miles away.

Now Florida residents are not only concerned over flood insurance, fire insurance is another issue they have to consider.