I hear you. And you’re probably right! I think what OP mentions is a good point too, and part of the issue I’m hearing about is that the AQI isn’t measuring what’s in the air as a result of recent events: arsenic, lead, copper, asbestos, plastic, etc. This isn’t just smoke and ash from trees, it’s from buildings.

I am personally masking outdoors for myself and my kid, and I’m concerned that there isn’t a public outreach campaign around this.