Doctors yesterday advised people with respiratory problems to wear protective masks or stay indoors for as long as the area where they live is affected by smoke from the recent wildfires.

Clouds of smoke have drifted over Athens, as well as other parts of southern Greece, since Friday. Doctors said that tiny smoke particles could affect people who suffer from asthma, bronchitis and other breathing problems.

The Health Ministry advised sufferers to stay in air-conditioned rooms.

Charalambos Roussos, a professor of pneumology and intensive care at Athens and McGill universities, told Kathimerini that anyone suffering from these illnesses should wear a protective mask whenever they leave the house.