Caribou, Maine – Much of northern and central Maine faces unhealthy air conditions Sunday, as wildfire smoke from Canada pushes south. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Alert from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m., covering Aroostook, Piscataquis, Northern Somerset, Northern Washington, and Northern and Central Penobscot counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou, smoke will keep skies hazy and air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with lung or heart conditions, older adults, teens, and young children. Officials urge everyone to reduce prolonged outdoor activity, move events inside, and take more frequent breaks.
Aside from the smoke, Sunday brings mostly sunny, dry weather with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. Southwest winds could gust up to 20 mph. By late afternoon, a weak disturbance in the far north may trigger a few scattered showers or an isolated thunderstorm, mainly for the Far North Woods, St. John Valley, and Fish River Lakes. The chance for severe weather is low, but a stray storm can’t be ruled out.
Residents should close windows, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and check for further air quality updates. More advisories could follow if wildfire smoke lingers into the workweek.
