Air Quality Alter Issued For Maine, Due To Quebec Wildfire Smoke

MEZ001>006-010-011-031-032-060400-

Northwest Aroostook-Northeast Aroostook-Northern Somerset-

Northern Piscataquis-Northern Penobscot-Southeast Aroostook-

Central Piscataquis-Central Penobscot-Southern Piscataquis-

Northern Washington-

Including the cities of Allagash, Clayton Lake, Madawaska,

Fort Kent, Frenchville, Presque Isle, Caribou, Van Buren, Mars Hill,

Ashland, Baker Lake, Billy-Jack Depot, Baxter St Park,

Churchill Dam, Mount Katahdin, Ripogenus, Telos Lake,

Caucomgomoc Lake, Chamberlain Lake, Millinocket, East Millinocket,

Patten, Medway, Houlton, Hodgdon, Sherman, Smyrna Mills, Greenville,

Monson, Blanchard, Lincoln, Howland, Springfield, Dover-Foxcroft,

Milo, Guilford, Danforth, Vanceboro, and Topsfield

315 PM EDT Thu Jul 2 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT SUNDAY NIGHT...

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection`s Bureau of Air

Quality has issued an Air Quality Alert for particle pollution until

midnight EDT Sunday night.

Particle pollution levels rose into the Unhealthy range earlier this

afternoon and continue to be high. Smoke from fires in Quebec moved

into Maine today. For the Northen region, people are advised to

follow the health message if visibility is poor or they can smell

smoke.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends that

individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to

reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be

especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants

include the very young, older adults, those who work outdoors, those

with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma, and those

with heart disease. It is okay to be active outdoors. But if you

experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat

irritation or an uncomfortable sensation in your chest, please

consider limiting the intensity and duration of your outdoor

activities.

A toll free air quality hotline has been established so Maine

residents can stay informed on the air quality situations. The toll

free number is: 1-800-223-1196.

Additionally the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has

the air quality forecast available on the web at

www.maine.gov/dep/air/aqforecast.

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