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

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.

Just for perspective, we've now burned down [an area] like the entire city of San Francisco.” The experts said that even after the fires are extinguished, health risks from ash, smoke and toxic materials that linger in the air can persist for months or years — especially in or near burn areas.

As the Los Angeles wildfires continue, there are several sites and apps for checking air quality information in your area.

Smoke from several wildfires in metro Los Angeles negatively affects the air quality of a population of about 18 million people. Air quality in Los Angeles was at "moderate" levels on Thursday morning,

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.