laura kate bender leads the healthy air campaign for the american lung association. laura kate, what is in wildfire smoke that makes it so hazardous? >> one of the main components is particle pollution. these bits can get deep into your lungs, even your bloodstream, and cause a host of harms. there's a bunch of other harmful chemicals too, particularly if it's burning houses, cars, other things from built structures. john: is it just as dangerous if the fire is hundreds of miles away or down the street? >> neither is safe. it can change the composition but the fact remains that whether people are close or far away, they should both take precautions. john: what can inhaling wildfire smoke bring on? >> what people might experience during the smoke event is burning eyes, throat, coughing, or wheezing. if you have asthma, copd, or other lung disease, you could have an act -- an exacerbation. you could have heart attacks, strokes, even premature death. john: premature death from illness brought on by the smoke or by the trauma of breathing the smoke at the moment? >> parti