Former operating room nurse Sandra Falk, who testified at the previous stop, noted that surgical masks do not block smoke ...

Wildfire smoke is dangerous, but when flames engulf homes, releasing harmful chemicals, that poses another health threat.

Smoke in the area is likely to remain prevalent ... Wearing a mask can be helpful, and an N95 mask will work better than a surgical mask, Sullivan said.

For those who must go outside, he strongly recommends wearing an N95 mask to protect against smoke inhalation and staying hydrated throughout the day. Houston's air quality is expected to decrease ...