Safety Precautions You Can Take , if Wildfire Smoke Is Impacting Your Area.br N95 masks have been found to block at least 95 of br particles that are 2.5 microns or less in width.br PM2.5 particles can travel deep into the lungs, br resulting in short-term irritation and br contribute to other respiratory health concerns.br LifeHacker reports that this is why N95 masks br are recommended when the air is full br of particulates, including from wildfire smoke. .br LifeHacker reports that this is why N95 masks br are recommended when the air is full br of particulates, including from wildfire smoke. .br While they provide significantly less protection, br surgical masks or cloth masks are still better br than nothing if an N95 mask isn't an option.br LifeHacker reports that there are a number of other safety br precautions, in addition to wearing a mask, that you br can take if wildfire smoke is impacting your area.br LifeHacker reports that there are a number of other safety br precautions, in addition to wearing a mask, that you br can take if wildfire smoke is impacting your area.br Stay indoors and try to run an air purifier. .br Stay indoors and try to run an air purifier. .br Building a DIY air purifier is br a simple hack that just requires br a box fan and furnace filters. .br Building a DIY air purifier is br a simple hack that just requires br a box fan and furnace filters. .br Avoid burning candles or smoking.br Cut back on driving, br operating lawnmowers br or burning fires at home.br Cut back on driving, br operating lawnmowers br or burning fires at home.br Cut back on driving, br operating lawnmowers br or burning fires at home.br Airnow.gov has a map that br can tell you the current br air quality in your area. .br "Sensitive groups" include children, the elderly, br and anyone with a medical condition br that affects the heart or lungs.