Bar Harbor, Maine – Coastal Hancock residents could face unhealthy air through Thursday evening as a combination of wildfire smoke and elevated ozone levels impacts the region.
According to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, an Air Quality Alert is in effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 11 p.m. Thursday. Ozone is expected to reach levels categorized as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” while fine particle pollution remains moderate statewide due to drifting smoke.
Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, and nearby towns may experience worsened conditions when high heat and humidity mix with pollutants. Health officials advise young children, older adults, and individuals with asthma or heart disease to avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. Anyone experiencing shortness of breath, coughing, or chest discomfort should immediately reduce outdoor activity.
DEP encourages residents to monitor local air conditions via their hotline at 1-800-223-1196 or visit www.maine.gov/dep/air/aqforecast.
Air quality is expected to improve Friday as winds shift, but advisories may be extended if smoke persists.
