Air quality in wildfire-stricken Los Angeles improved on Thursday from hazardous peaks hit earlier this month, as tiny soot particles that can penetrate the lungs and brain dropped to moderate levels,

Los Angeles is now a week removed from the day that multiple devastating wildfires erupted to torch tens of thousands of acres. But still, the question remains if people should wear masks to limit their exposure to toxins in the air.

The fresh air came after days of acrid smoke from wildfires, but officials warned that conditions could rapidly worsen again.

Calculating air pollution from wildfires and other events has become more complicated. That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily more accurate.

Wear a tight-fitting N95 mask at the bare minimum, but a P100 is better, experts say. Wear long sleeves, eye protection, closed-toed shoes and cut-resistant gloves. Clean or decontaminate anything that’s been in contact with ash.

Smoke from the raging Southern California wildfires is filling city skylines, causing officials to warn residents of poor air quality.

During the wildfires, several communities throughout LA County experienced poor air quality. Chris Chavez, deputy policy director for the Coalition for Clean Air, says many people are now breathing toxic air.

KCRW and R&S Kayne Foundation Los Angeles held a public information panel and Q&A session regarding immediate and long-term health considerations from the fires. Watch in English or Spanish.