BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The Zaca fire has been burning for more than a month and has scorched more than 94,000 acres.

Each day Zaca’s fire line moves closer to Kern County’s southwestern borders.

Smoke can be seen billowing from the burning mountain regions as far away as Lake Ming area, northwest of Bakersfield.

Bakersfield has been blanketed by ash and residents have witnessed dazzling ash-filled sunsets.

Fire crews say the flames are getting closer to Kern’s borders, but it would still take several days for the fire to begin to burn in Kern County.

Kern County fire officials briefed residents in Pine Mountain Club and Lebec on the fire situation and what to do should it burn into their areas.

Fire crews say mountain residents should have 100 feet of defensible space around their homes.

Meanwhile, people especially sensitive to the smoke and ash are finding it tough to catch their breath.

“It’s hard to breath, I have asthma,” said Heather Gonzales. She said she has been using her inhaler a lot more in the past few days.

She's not alone, patients with pulmonary problems have flooded the waiting room at the Pulmonary and Sleep clinic on Truxton Avenue.

Plumonary specialist Dr. Robert Laughlin blames the smoke from the Zaca fire for his patients coughing and wheezing.

“The best medicine is to avoid it,” said Laughlin. He is advising his patients to stay indoors and wait out the smoke filled skies overhead.

But, that may be easier said than done. Fire officials said they don’t expect to contain the fire until September, even then it doesn’t mean the fire will be fully out.

“I feel lousy,” said Robin Collins. Collins said her allergies have been bothering her since the smoke blanketed the valley. While she waits out the unhealthy air in Bakersfield, she said she’ll rely on her allergy medication and remain indoors.

Stay tuned to more on the Zaca fire from ABC23.