Caribou, Maine – Wildfire smoke is spreading across Maine today, reducing air quality and creating hazy to locally dense conditions, especially across the Central Highlands and the Bangor region. A statewide Air Quality Alert is in effect from 10 a.m. through midnight as smoke from Canadian wildfires combines with increasing clouds ahead of a round of showers and isolated thunderstorms later today.
According to the National Weather Service in Caribou and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the thickest smoke is expected from late morning through tonight, with the worst conditions likely across the Central Highlands, Bangor and coastal Hancock County. The statewide Air Quality Alert is in effect due to elevated fine particle pollution, which can pose health risks for children, older adults and those with heart or lung disease.
Rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and continue into Sunday morning, bringing much-needed rainfall to the region. Most communities can expect 0.20 to 0.75 inches of rain, with the highest totals across northern Maine.
Communities including Caribou, Presque Isle, Houlton, Millinocket, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Ellsworth and Calais will experience smoky skies, while south-southeast winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph may create choppy conditions along the coast. A Gale Warning is in effect for the offshore waters, while a Small Craft Advisory covers all Maine coastal waters.
Residents are encouraged to limit prolonged outdoor activity if smoke becomes dense, keep windows closed when possible and monitor air quality conditions throughout the day. Boaters should use extra caution due to hazardous marine conditions, and anyone with outdoor plans should be prepared for thunderstorms developing later today and tonight.
Additional updates are expected as smoke concentrations and rainfall coverage change through the weekend.
