Caribou, Maine – Residents across Maine should prepare for reduced air quality on Saturday as wildfire smoke from Canada spreads across the state, prompting a statewide Air Quality Alert from morning through late evening. Health officials warn that elevated particle pollution could affect everyone, with the greatest concerns for people with respiratory and heart conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Air Quality Alert is in effect from 10 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. Saturday for the entire state. Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke is expected to push air quality into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category across all forecast regions.
The advisory includes northern Maine, the western mountains, western and eastern interior, the southwest coast, Mid-Coast, Downeast and higher elevations. Ozone levels are expected to remain Good across much of the state, with Moderate ozone possible in portions of the western interior, southwest coast, Mid-Coast and higher terrain.
Sensitive groups, including children, older adults, pregnant women and people with asthma, chronic lung disease or heart disease, should reduce prolonged outdoor activity. Residents are also encouraged to keep windows closed when possible and use air conditioning or air filtration systems to reduce indoor smoke exposure.
Air quality conditions may change throughout the day depending on wind patterns and smoke concentrations. Residents should monitor updates from the National Weather Service, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and AirNow.gov for the latest air quality information and any additional advisories.
