No, that's not the takeaway. I wear my N95 outside, run my air filter inside, and avoid strenuous activity. However, there's no need to panic if you get a cough from the smoke.
Wood smoke kills around 2 million people a year, though that generally takes long term exposure.
So, while you’re not incorrect that individual wildfires are not a major concern, living in places where such exposure is common is a significant issue.
It is probably because a billion? people still use open wood fires indoors with poor ventilation. Visualize a fire in the middle of a hut with a pot on it and a small hole in the ceiling. AQI in that hut is going to be very bad. Creating systems where people can afford to use propane or other gas stoves are a huge win for the health of humanity and ecosystems.
Die drei Plagen des Bauern: Hausrauch, ein undichtes Dach und eine untreue Frau
> The three plagues of the farmer: household smoke, a leaky roof and an unfaithful wife
Supposedly an old saying, but almost certainly retcon. Not necessarily wrong though, look at houses a few hundred years ago, that sort of thing is still ubiquitous in the developing and pre-developing world.
Don't exaggerate my statement.