With wildfires burning in the western U.S., smoke is affecting air quality for hundreds of miles. Wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes and respiratory system, and also can be dangerous for the elderly and people with heart and lung conditions.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Clayton Cowl, chair of the Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine at Mayo Clinic, discusses the health risks of breathing in wildfire smoke and what you can do to protect yourself.